Eyewear with variable optical characteristics

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein include eyewear that provides controlled variable light attenuation and color enhancement based on an input received from a user, a sensor and/or a signal from a control circuit. In some embodiments, the eyewear includes an optical filter system with two or more defined filter states that are adapted to improve color vision in different environments. The optical filter system can be incorporated into a lens having any desired curvature, including, for example, cylindrical, spherical or toroidal. The lens can include one or more functional components. Examples of functional components include color enhancement filters, chroma enhancement filters, a laser attenuation filter, electrochromic filters, photoelectrochromic filters, variable attenuation filters, anti-reflection coatings, interference stacks, hard coatings, flash mirrors, anti-static coatings, anti-fog coatings, other functional layers, or a combination of functional layers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 15/594,475 filed on May 12, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,073,282,titled EYEWEAR WITH VARIABLE OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS, which claimspriority as a continuation-in-part of International Application No.PCT/US2015/060103 filed Nov. 11, 2015, titled VARIABLE LIGHT ATTENUATIONEYEWEAR WITH COLOR ENHANCEMENT which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/079,418, filed Nov. 13, 2014, titled VARIABLELIGHT ATTENUATION EYEWEAR WITH COLOR ENHANCEMENT. The entire contents ofthe above referenced applications are incorporated by reference hereinand made part of this specification.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates generally to eyewear and to lenses used ineyewear.

Description of Related Art

Eyewear generally includes one or lenses attached to a frame thatpositions the lenses on the wearer's head. Lenses can include opticalfilters that attenuate light in one or more wavelength bands. Forexample, sunglasses, goggles, and other eyewear designed for useoutdoors in daylight typically include a lens that absorbs a significantportion of visible light. A sunglass lens or goggle can have a dark lensbody or functional layer that strongly absorbs visible light, therebysignificantly decreasing the luminous transmittance of the lens.

A sunglass lens can include an electro-optically active or controllablematerial that changes state from a higher transmittance to a lowertransmittance or vice-versa when a voltage is applied and/or when avoltage is removed. Eyeglasses can include a power source that can beturned on to provide voltage to the electro-optically active orcontrollable material or turned off to remove voltage to theelectro-optically active or controllable material. The turning on orturning off of the power source can be controlled by a user or by asensor coupled to a control circuit. The electro-optically active orcontrollable material can include one or more chromophores that haveelectrochromic and/or photochromic properties.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments described herein have several features, no singleone of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of theadvantageous features will now be summarized. While the features andstructures are described below in connection with embodiments of eyewearsuch as eyeglasses and goggles, it is to be understood that the featuresand structures can be implemented in any headworn support (i.e., aheadworn article that can support one or more lenses in the wearer'sfield of view). For example, other headworn supports can include, butare not limited to, helmets, face masks, balaclavas, and breachingshields.

Embodiments disclosed herein include eyewear that provides variableoptical characteristics, such as for example, light attenuation,luminous transmittance, contrast sensitivity, chromaticity and/or colorenhancement based on a signal received from a control circuit, an inputfrom a sensor or an input from a user. In some embodiments, the eyewearincludes an optical filter system with two or more defined filter statesthat are adapted to improve color vision in different environments. Theoptical filter system can be incorporated into a lens having any desiredcurvature, including, for example, cylindrical, spherical or toroidal.The lens can include one or more functional components, such as, forexample, layers, coatings, or laminates. Examples of functionalcomponents include color enhancement filters, chroma enhancementfilters, a laser attenuation filter, electrochromic filters,photoelectrochromic filters, variable attenuation filters,anti-reflection coatings, interference stacks, hard coatings, flashmirrors, anti-static coatings, anti-fog coatings, other functionallayers, or a combination of functional layers.

Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an opticalfilter within and/or outside of the lens body configured to attenuatevisible light in one or more spectral bands. In some embodiments inwhich the optical filter is within the lens body, the optical filter canconstitute the lens body, or the optical filter and additionalcomponents can constitute the lens body. The optical filter can beconfigured to substantially increase the colorfulness, clarity, and/orvividness of a scene. The optical filter can be particularly suited foruse with eyewear and can allow the wearer of the eyewear to view a scenewith improved dynamic visual acuity.

In certain embodiments, eyewear includes an optical filter with two ormore selectable optical attenuation states. In various implementations,the two or more optical attenuation states can be selected based on asignal received from a control circuit, an input from a sensor or aninput from a user. For example, the filter can have a first selectableoptical attenuation state that is tailored for a first specific purposeand a second selectable optical attenuation state that is tailored for asecond specific purpose. The filter can additional have furtherselectable optical attenuation states tailored for additional specificpurposes, in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe selectable optical attenuation states of the optical filter enablesthe wearer of the eyewear to view one or more different types of sceneswith improved dynamic visual acuity.

One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosurecan be implemented in an eyewear comprising a lens. The lens comprises astatic attenuation filter; and a user-controlled and/orsensor-controlled variable attenuation filter. The variable attenuationfilter is configured to switch among a plurality of states comprising afaded state and a darkened state based on a signal provided by a userand/or based on input from one or more than one sensors.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in thisdisclosure can be implemented in an eyewear comprising an optical filterincluding a first filter state having a first luminous transmittance anda user-selectable or sensor-selectable second filter state having asecond luminous transmittance. The optical filter comprises an absorberhaving an absorbance spectral profile comprising at least one absorbancepeak in the visible spectrum. The absorbance peak has a maximumabsorbance value between about 540 nm and about 580 nm and a full widthat 80% of the maximum absorbance value of greater than or equal to about5 nm when the optical filter is in the first filter state.

One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosurecan be implemented in an eyewear comprising a first filter componentincluding at least one of a photoelectrochromic material or anelectrochromic material; and a second filter component comprising anorganic dye. The first filter component is configured to switch betweena faded state and a darkened state based on a signal received from auser-controlled and/or a sensor-controlled interface.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in thisdisclosure can be implemented in an eyewear comprising an optical filterthat can switch between a first filter state and a second filter statebased on a signal received from an electric power supply operativelyconnected to a user-controlled or a sensor-controlled interface. A shiftin luminous transmittance between the first state and second filterstate is greater than or equal to about 10%. In the first filter state,the optical filter comprises a first absorbance peak with a maximumoptical density greater than about 0.5 at a wavelength between about 540nm and about 580 nm. The first absorbance peak has a full width at 80%of the maximum optical density between about 5 nm and about 20 nm in thefirst filter state. In the second filter state, the optical filtercomprises a first absorbance peak with a maximum optical density lessthan about 3.0 at a wavelength between about 540 nm and about 580 nm.The first absorbance peak has a full width at 80% of the maximum opticaldensity between about 5 nm and about 20 nm in the second filter state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings forillustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limitingthe scope of the inventions. In addition, various features of differentdisclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments,which are part of this disclosure. Any feature or structure can beremoved or omitted. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers can bereused to indicate correspondence between reference elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of eyewear including a pair of lenses.

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a lens that can be included in theeyewear depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of a lens that can be included inthe eyewear depicted in FIG. 1, the lens comprising an optical filterincluding a variable filter component and a static filter component.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a lens that can be included in theeyewear depicted in FIG. 1 or in the goggles depicted in FIG. 2C, thelens comprising a first component spaced apart from a second componentby spacers.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a lens that can be included in theeyewear depicted in FIG. 1 or in the goggles depicted in FIG. 2C, thelens comprising a first component spaced apart from a second componentby a gap including one or more functional layers.

FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of a ski goggle including anembodiment of a lens.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate different embodiments of a lens that can beincluded in the eyewear depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2C, the lenscomprising a first component spaced apart from a second component byspacers and one or more functional layers

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a functional element that can beattached to an embodiment of a lens that can be included in the eyeweardepicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2C.

FIGS. 5A-13G illustrate optical characteristics (e.g., transmissionprofile, absorbance profile, chromaticity, and relative chroma profile)of various embodiments of lenses including one or more optical filtersthat provide variable attenuation and chroma enhancement for certainactivities, such as, for example, golf, baseball, and snow sports.

FIGS. 14A-17C illustrate optical characteristics (e.g., absorptanceprofile, absorbance profile, and relative chroma profile) of variousembodiments of lenses including one or more optical filters that providevariable attenuation and chroma enhancement for certain activities, suchas, for example, snow sports, daily activities, driving, hiking, biking,etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although certain preferred embodiments and examples are disclosedherein, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specificallydisclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, andto modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claimsappended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodimentsdescribed below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein,the acts or operations of the method or process can be performed in anysuitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particulardisclosed sequence. Various operations can be described as multiplediscrete operations in turn, in a manner that can be helpful inunderstanding certain embodiments; however, the order of descriptionshould not be construed to imply that these operations are orderdependent. Additionally, the structures described herein can be embodiedas integrated components or as separate components. For purposes ofcomparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of theseembodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects oradvantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example,various embodiments can be carried out in a manner that achieves oroptimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as can also be taughtor suggested herein. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/079,418, filed on Nov. 13, 2014 and titled “VARIABLE LIGHTATTENUATION EYEWEAR WITH COLOR ENHANCEMENT,” is incorporated byreference herein and made part of this specification.

While the present description sets forth specific details of variousembodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrativeonly and should not be construed in any way as limiting. Additionally,although particular embodiments may be disclosed or shown in the contextof particular types of eyewear systems, such as unitary lens eyeglasses,dual lens eyeglasses having partial or full orbitals, and goggles, it isunderstood that any elements of the disclosure may be used in any typeof eyewear system. Moreover, any elements of the disclosure may be usedin any headworn support (i.e., a headworn article that can support oneor more lenses in the wearer's field of view). For example, other typesof headworn supports can include, but are not limited to, helmets, facemasks, balaclavas, and breaching shields.

Sunglasses provide protection from bright sunlight and high-energyvisible light that can be damaging or discomforting to the eyes. Amajority of existing sun glasses are not suitable for use in low lightor indoors due to reduced visibility in low light conditions and/orindoors. Eyewear including lenses comprising photochromic material thatare clear indoors and in low light and darken outdoors in sunlight canbe a possible candidate for sun glasses that provide protection frombright sunlight outdoors and are suitable for use in low lightconditions and/or indoors. However, lenses comprising certainphotochromic materials may not darken sufficiently in bright sunnyconditions in the absence of UV radiation and thus may be unsuitable foruse as sunglasses in certain conditions. For example, lenses comprisingcertain photochromic materials that require ultraviolet radiation maynot darken sufficiently inside an automobile in bright sunlight sincethe windshields and the windows in an automobile can filter outultraviolet radiation. Lenses comprising certain photochromic materialsmay also take a long time (for example, more than 1 minute, more than 5minutes, up to 20 minutes, or more) to fully return from a darkenedstate to a faded state when transitioning from bright sunlight to lowlight conditions or indoors. In addition, photochromic materials canhave significant temperature dependency that affects the spectralprofile of the different filter states, including the darkened state.

Some electrochromic materials use a substantial amount of electricalenergy to change to different states and/or to maintain a state. Othertypes of electrochromic materials can use a lower amount of electricalenergy to change states and/or to maintain a state. In some embodiments,eyewear can include electrochromic material that can be used assunglasses that darken in bright light on application of an electricalstimulus and fade or un-darken in low light conditions and/or indoorswhen the electrical stimulus is removed. However, such embodiments ofsunglasses may be power intensive and/or may require constantapplication of the electrical stimulus to maintain the darkened and/orfaded state.

In certain embodiments, eyewear can darken sufficiently in brightsunlight, transition from a darkened state to un-darkened (or faded)state quickly (for example, in less than 5 minutes, in less than 1minute), require less power to transition from a faded state to adarkened state, and/or maintain the darkened state without requiringpower. In some embodiments, the eyewear can switch between a darkenedstate and a faded state based on an input from the user wearing theeyewear, a signal received from a control circuit or an input from asensor. In some embodiments, the eyewear can switch between a darkenedstate and a faded state based on an input from a control circuit and/orsensor.

The vividness of interpreted colors is correlated with an attributeknown as the chroma value of a color. The chroma value is one of theattributes or coordinates of the CIE L*C*h* color space. Together withattributes known as hue and lightness, the chroma can be used to definecolors that are perceivable in human vision. It has been determined thatvisual acuity can be positively correlated with the chroma values ofcolors in a scene. In other words, the visual acuity of an observer canbe greater when viewing a scene with high chroma value colors than whenviewing the same scene with lower chroma value colors.

An optical filter system can be configured to remove the outer portionsof a broad visual stimulus to make colors appear more vivid as perceivedin human vision. The outer portions of a broad visual stimulus refer towavelengths that, when substantially, nearly completely, or completelyattenuated, decrease the bandwidth of the stimulus such that thevividness of the perceived color is increased. Thus, an optical filtersystem for eyewear can be configured to substantially increase thecolorfulness, clarity, and/or vividness of a scene. Such an opticalfilter system for eyewear can allow the wearer to view the scene in highdefinition color (HD color). In some embodiments, portions of a visualstimulus that are not substantially attenuated include at least thewavelengths for which cone photoreceptor cells in the human eye have thegreatest sensitivity. In certain embodiments, the bandwidth of the colorstimulus when the optical filter is applied includes at least thewavelengths for which the cone photoreceptor cells have the greatestsensitivity. In some embodiments, a person wearing a lens incorporatingan optical filter system disclosed herein can perceive a substantialincrease in the clarity of a scene. The increase in perceived claritycan result, for example, from increased contrast, increased chroma, or acombination of factors.

An optical filter system can be configured to enhance the chroma profileof a scene when the scene is viewed through a lens that incorporates theoptical filter system. The optical filter system can be configured toincrease or decrease chroma in one or more chroma enhancement windows inorder to achieve any desired effect. The chroma-enhancing optical filtersystem can be configured to preferentially transmit or attenuate lightin any desired chroma enhancement windows. Any suitable process can beused to determine the desired chroma enhancement windows. For example,the colors predominantly reflected or emitted in a selected environmentcan be measured, and a filter can be adapted to provide chromaenhancement in one or more spectral regions corresponding to the colorsthat are predominantly reflected or emitted.

The ability to identify and discern moving objects is generally called“Dynamic Visual Acuity.” Generally, dynamic visual acuity can decreasein the darkened state of various embodiments of lenses. An increase inchroma (or chroma enhancement) in the spectral region of the movingobject can improve the dynamic visual acuity because increases in chromacan be generally associated with higher color contrast. Furthermore, theemphasis and de-emphasis of specific colors can further improve dynamicvisual acuity.

Various implementations of an optical filter system that can enhancechroma as described above can be included in eyewear that can transitionbetween a darkened state and a faded state to improve dynamic visualacuity in the darkened state. Various implementations of an opticalfilter system that can enhance chroma as described above can beconfigured to controllable by a user, a sensor and/or a logic totransition between a darkened state and a faded state. The chromaenhanced optical filter system can provide additional benefits such asincreasing the colorfulness, clarity, and/or vividness of a scene viewedthrough the sunglasses in the darkened state and/or faded state.

Overview of Eyewear

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of eyewear including a pair of lenses102 a, 102 b. The eyewear can be of any type, including general-purposeeyewear, special-purpose eyewear, sunglasses, driving glasses, sportingglasses, goggles, indoor eyewear, outdoor eyewear, vision-correctingeyewear, contrast-enhancing eyewear, eyewear designed for anotherpurpose, or eyewear designed for a combination of purposes. The pair oflenses 102 a, 102 b can be implemented in any headworn support (i.e., aheadworn article that can support one or more lenses in the wearer'sfield of view). For example, other headworn supports can include, butare not limited to, helmets, face masks, balaclavas, and breachingshields. The lenses 102 a and 102 b can be corrective lenses ornon-corrective lenses and can be made of any of a variety of opticalmaterials including glass and/or plastics, such as, for example,acrylics or polycarbonates. The lenses can have various shapes. Forexample, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be flat, have 1 axis of curvature,2 axes of curvature, or more than 2 axes of curvature, the lenses 102 a,102 b can be cylindrical, parabolic, spherical, flat, or elliptical, orany other shape such as a meniscus or catenoid. When worn, the lenses102 a, 102 b can extend across the wearer's normal straight ahead lineof sight, and can extend substantially across the wearer's peripheralzones of vision. As used herein, the wearer's normal line of sight shallrefer to a line projecting straight ahead of the wearer's eye, withsubstantially no angular deviation in either the vertical or horizontalplanes. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b extend across aportion of the wearer's normal straight ahead line of sight.

The outside surface of lenses 102 a or 102 b can conform to a shapehaving a smooth, continuous surface having a constant horizontal radius(sphere or cylinder) or progressive curve (ellipse, toroid or ovoid) orother aspheric shape in either the horizontal or vertical planes. Thegeometric shape of other embodiments can be generally cylindrical,having curvature in one axis and no curvature in a second axis. Thelenses 102 a, 102 b can have a curvature in one or more dimensions. Forexample, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be curved along a horizontal axis.As another example, lenses 102 a, 102 b can be characterized in ahorizontal plane by a generally arcuate shape, extending from a medialedge throughout at least a portion of the wearer's range of vision to alateral edge. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b aresubstantially linear (not curved) along a vertical axis. In someembodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b have a first radius of curvature inone region, a second radius of curvature in a second region, andtransition sites disposed on either side of the first and secondregions. The transition sites can be a coincidence point along thelenses 102 a, 102 b where the radius of curvature of the lenses 102 a,102 b transitions from the first to the second radius of curvature, andvice versa. In some embodiments, lenses 102 a, 102 b can have a thirdradius of curvature in a parallel direction, a perpendicular direction,or some other direction. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 bcan lie on a common circle. The right and left lenses in a high-wrapeyeglass can be canted such that the medial edge of each lens will falloutside of the common circle and the lateral edges will fall inside ofthe common circle. Providing curvature in the lenses 102 a, 102 b canresult in various advantageous optical qualities for the wearer,including reducing the prismatic shift of light rays passing through thelenses 102 a, 102 b, and providing an optical correction.

A variety of lens configurations in both horizontal and vertical planesare possible. Thus, for example, either the outer or the inner or bothsurfaces of the lens 102 a or 102 b of some embodiments can generallyconform to a spherical shape or to a right circular cylinder.Alternatively either the outer or the inner or both surfaces of the lensmay conform to a frusto-conical shape, a toroid, an elliptic cylinder,an ellipsoid, an ellipsoid of revolution, other asphere or any of anumber of other three dimensional shapes. Regardless of the particularvertical or horizontal curvature of one surface, however, the othersurface may be chosen such as to minimize one or more of power, prism,and astigmatism of the lens in the mounted and as-worn orientation.

The lenses 102 a, 102 b can be linear (not curved) along a verticalplane (e.g., cylindrical or frusto-conical lens geometry). In someembodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be aligned substantiallyparallel with the vertical axis such that the line of sight issubstantially normal to the anterior surface and the posterior surfaceof the lenses 102 a, 102 b. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 bare angled downward such that a line normal to the lens is offset fromthe straight ahead normal line of sight by an angle ϕ. The angle ϕ ofoffset can be greater than about 0° and/or less than about 30°, orgreater than about 70° and/or less than about 20°, or about 15°,although other angles ϕ outside of these ranges may also be used.Various cylindrically shaped lenses may be used. The anterior surfaceand/or the posterior surface of the lenses 102 a, 102 b can conform tothe surface of a right circular cylinder such that the radius ofcurvature along the horizontal axis is substantially uniform. Anelliptical cylinder can be used to provide lenses that have non-uniformcurvature in the horizontal direction. For example, a lens may be morecurved near its lateral edge than its medial edge. In some embodiments,an oblique (non-right) cylinder can be used, for example, to provide alens that is angled in the vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the eyewear 100 incorporates canted lenses 102 a,102 b mounted in a position rotated laterally relative to conventionalcentrally oriented dual lens mountings. A canted lens may be conceivedas having an orientation, relative to the wearer's head, which would beachieved by starting with conventional dual lens eyewear havingcentrally oriented lenses and bending the frame inwardly at the templesto wrap around the side of the head. When the eyewear 100 is worn, alateral edge of the lens wraps significantly around and comes in closeproximity to the wearer's temple to provide significant lateral eyecoverage.

A degree of wrap may be desirable for aesthetic styling reasons, forlateral protection of the eyes from flying debris, or for interceptionof peripheral light. Wrap may be attained by utilizing lenses of tighthorizontal curvature (high base), such as cylindrical or sphericallenses, and/or by mounting each lens in a position which is cantedlaterally and rearwardly relative to centrally oriented dual lenses.Similarly, a high degree of rake or vertical tilting may be desirablefor aesthetic reasons and for intercepting light, wind, dust or otherdebris from below the wearer's eyes. In general, “rake” will beunderstood to describe the condition of a lens, in the as-wornorientation, for which the normal line of sight strikes a verticaltangent to the lens 102 a or 102 b at a non-perpendicular angle.

The lenses 102 a, 102 b can be provided with anterior and posteriorsurfaces and a thickness therebetween, which can be variable along thehorizontal direction, vertical direction, or combination of directions.In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can have a varyingthickness along the horizontal or vertical axis, or along some otherdirection. In some embodiments, the thickness of the lenses 102 a, 102 btapers smoothly, though not necessarily linearly, from a maximumthickness proximate a medial edge to a relatively lesser thickness at alateral edge. The lenses 102 a, 102 b can have a tapering thicknessalong the horizontal axis and can be decentered for optical correction.In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can have a thicknessconfigured to provide an optical correction. For example, the thicknessof the lenses 102 a, 102 b can taper from a thickest point at a centralpoint of the lenses 102 a, 102 b approaching lateral segments of thelenses 102 a, 102 b. In some embodiments, the average thickness of thelenses 102 a, 102 b in the lateral segments can be less than the averagethickness of the lenses 102 a, 102 b in the central zone. In someembodiments, the thickness of the lenses 102 a, 102 b in at least onepoint in the central zone can be greater than the thickness of thelenses 102 a, 102 b at any point within at least one of the lateralsegments.

In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be finished, as opposedto semi-finished, with the lenses 102 a, 102 b being contoured to modifythe focal power. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can besemi-finished so that the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be capable of beingmachined, at some time following manufacture, to modify their focalpower. In some embodiments, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can have opticalpower and can be prescription lenses configured to correct fornear-sighted or far-sighted vision. The lenses 102 a, 102 b can havecylindrical characteristics to correct for astigmatism.

The eyewear 100 can include a mounting frame 104 configured to supportthe lenses 102 a, 102 b. The mounting frame 104 can include orbitalsthat partially or completely surround the lenses 102 a, 102 b. Referringto FIG. 1, it should be noted that the particular mounting frame 104 isnot essential to the embodiment disclosed herein. The frame 104 can beof varying configurations and designs, and the illustrated embodimentshown in FIG. 1 is provided as examples only. As illustrated, the frame104 may include a top frame portion and a pair of ear stems 106 a, 106 bthat are connected to opposing ends of the top frame portion. Further,the lenses 102 a, 102 b may be mounted to the frame 104 with an upperedge of the lens 102 a or 102 b extending along or within a lens grooveand being secured to the frame 104. For example, the upper edge of thelens 102 a or 102 b can be formed in a pattern, such as a jagged ornon-linear edge, and apertures or other shapes around which the frame104 can be injection molded or fastened in order to secure the lens 102a or 102 b to the frame 104. Further, the lenses 102 a, 102 b can beremovably attachable to the frame 104 by means of a slot withinter-fitting projections or other attachment structure formed in thelenses 102 a, 102 b and/or the frame 104.

It is also contemplated that the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be securedalong a lower edge of the frame 104. Various other configurations canalso be utilized. Such configurations can include the direct attachmentof the ear stems 106 a, 106 b to the lenses 102 a, 102 b without anyframe, or other configurations that can reduce the overall weight, size,or profile of the eyeglasses. In addition, various materials can beutilized in the manufacture of the frame 104, such as metals,composites, or relatively rigid, molded thermoplastic materials whichare well known in the art, and which can be transparent or available ina variety of colors. Indeed, the mounting frame 104 can be fabricatedaccording to various configurations and designs as desired. In someembodiments, the frame 104 is configured to retain a unitary lens thatis placed in front of both eyes when the eyewear is worn. Eyewear (e.g.,goggles) can also be provided that include a unitary lens that is placedin front of both eyes when the eyewear is worn. The unitary lens havingfeatures similar to the lenses 102 a, 102 b can be implemented in othertypes of headworn supports such as, but not limited to, helmets, facemasks, balaclavas, and breaching shields.

In some embodiments, the ear stems 106 a, 106 b can be pivotablyattached to the frame 104. In some embodiments, the ear stems 106 a, 106b attach directly to the lenses 102 a, 102 b. The ear stems 106 a, 106 bcan be configured to support the eyewear 100 when worn by a user. Forexample, the ear stems 106 a, 106 b can be configured to rest on theears of the user. In some embodiments, the eyewear 100 includes aflexible band used to secure the eyewear 100 in front of the user's eyesin place of ear stems 106 a, 106 b.

Various embodiments of the lenses 102 a, 102 b include a lens body 108and a lens component 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The lens body 108can have an inner surface facing the eye and an outer surface oppositethe inner surface. The inner surface and/or the outer surface of thelens body 108 can be curved (e.g., convex or concave). In someembodiments, the inner and/or the outer surface of the lens body 108 canbe planar. The lens component 110 can be substantially permanentlyaffixed to the lens body 108, or the lens component 110 can beconfigured to be separable from the lens body 108. The lens component110 can be attached to the inner or outer surface of the lens body 108.In some embodiments, the lens component 110 can be configured to beremovable such that a user, manufacturer, or retailer can apply, remove,or change the lens component 110 after manufacture of the eyewear 100.In this way, a variety of functional elements can be introduced into theeyewear 100 increasing the possible utility of the eyewear 100 becausethe eyewear can be altered to provide functionality suitable fordifferent occasions. In some embodiments, the lens component 110includes a laminate, a coating, a flexible material, an inflexiblematerial, an insert molded component, a chip, a gel layer, a liquidlayer, an air gap, a filter, or any combination of components.

The lens body 108 can be formed of polymer, polycarbonate (or PC), allyldiglycol carbonate monomer (being sold under the brand name CR-39®),glass, nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyimide, polyethyleneterephthalate (or PET), biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalatepolyester film (or BoPET, with one such polyester film sold under thebrand name MYLAR®), acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA), apolymeric material, a co-polymer, a doped material, any other suitablematerial, or any combination of materials. The lens body 108 can berigid and other layers of the lens can conform to the shape of the lensbody 108 such that the lens body 108 dictates the shape of the lens 102a or 102 b. The lens body 108 can be symmetrical across a vertical axisof symmetry, symmetrical across a horizontal axis of symmetry,symmetrical across another axis, or asymmetrical. In some embodiments,the front and back surfaces of the lens body 108 can conform to thesurfaces of respective cylinders that have a common center point anddifferent radii. In some embodiments, the lens body can have a front andback surfaces that conform to the surfaces of respective cylinders thathave center points offset from each other, such that the thickness ofthe lens body 108 tapers from a thicker central portion to thinner endportions. The surfaces of the lens body 108 can conform to other shapes,as discussed herein, such as a sphere, toroid, ellipsoid, asphere,plano, frusto-conical, and the like. In some embodiments, athermoforming process, a molding process, a casting process, alamination process, an extrusion process, an adhering process, and/oranother suitable process can be used to attach the lens component 110 tothe lens body 108 having a shape described herein.

The lens body 108 can be contoured during initial formation to have anoptical magnification characteristic that modifies the focal power ofthe lens 102 a or 102 b. In some embodiments, the lens body 108 can bemachined after initial formation to modify the focal power of the lens102 a or 102 b. The lens body 108 can provide a substantial amount ofthe optical power and magnification characteristics to the lens 102 a or102 b. In some embodiments, the lens body 108 provides the majority ofthe optical power and magnification characteristics. Apportioning themajority of optical power and magnification to the lens body 108 canpermit selection of lens body 108 materials and lens body 108 formationtechniques that provide improved lens 102 a, 102 b optical power andmagnification characteristics, without adversely affecting selection oflens component 110 materials and formation techniques.

In various embodiments, the lens body 108 can be injection molded,although other processes can be used to form the shape of the lens blankbody, such as thermoforming or machining. In some embodiments, the lensbody 108 is injection molded and includes a relatively rigid andoptically acceptable material such as polycarbonate. The curvature ofthe lens body 108 would thus be incorporated into a molded lens blank. Alens blank can include the desired curvature and taper in its as-moldedcondition. One or two or more lens bodies of the desired shape may thenbe cut from the optically appropriate portion of the lens blank as isunderstood in the art. In some embodiments, the frame 104 is providedwith a slot or other attachment structure that cooperates with themolded and cut shape of the lens body 108 and lens component 110 tominimize deviation from, and even improve retention of its intendedshape. In some embodiments, the lens body 108 can be stamped or cut fromflat sheet stock and then bent into the curved configuration using aprocess such as thermoforming. This curved configuration can then bemaintained by the use of a relatively rigid, curved frame 104, or byheating the curved sheet to retain its curved configuration.

The lens component 110 can be attached to the lens body 108, forexample, through a thermally-cured adhesive layer, a UV-cured adhesivelayer, electrostatic adhesion, pressure sensitive adhesives, or anycombination of these. Examples of bonding technologies that may besuitable for attaching the lens component 110 to the lens body 108include thermal welding, fusing, pressure sensitive adhesives,polyurethane adhesives, electrostatic attraction, thermoforming, othertypes of adhesives, materials curable by ultraviolet light, thermallycurable materials, radiation-curable materials, other bonding methods,other bonding materials, and combinations of methods and/or materials.In some embodiments, any technique suitable for affixing the lenscomponent 110 to the lens body 108 can be used. Some embodiments of alens 102 a or 102 b includes a lens body 108 and a lens component 110that are bonded together. In some embodiments, the lens component 110and the lens body 108 can be integrally connected to each other and canbe adhesively bonded together.

The lens component 110 can include a single layer or multiple layers.The lens component 110 can have one or more layers in single or multiplelayer form that can be coated with a hard coat or a primer. For example,the lens component 110 can be a single layer of polycarbonate, PET,polyethylene, acrylic, nylon, polyurethane, polyimide, BoPET, anotherfilm material, or a combination of materials. As another example, thelens component can include multiple layers of film, where each filmlayer includes polycarbonate, PET, polyethylene, acrylic, nylon,polyurethane, polyimide, BoPET, another film material, or a combinationof materials.

Each of the lens component 110 and/or lens body 108 can include one ormore layers that serve various functions within the lenses 102 a, 102 b.In some embodiments, one or more layers in the lens component 110 and/orthe lens body 108 can provide optical properties to the lenses 102 a,102 b such as optical filtering, polarization, photochromism,electrochromism, photoelectrochromism and/or partial reflection ofincoming visible light, chroma enhancement, color enhancement, coloralteration, or any combination of these. In some embodiments, one ormore layers within the lens component 110 and/or the lens body 108 canprovide mechanical protection to the lenses 102 a, 102 b or other layerswithin the lens component 110, reduce stresses within the lens component110, or improve bonding or adhesion among the layers in the lenscomponent 110 and/or between the lens component 110 and the lens body108. In some embodiments, the lens component 110 and/or the lens body108 can include layers that provide additional functionality to thelenses 102 a, 102 b such as, for example, anti-reflection functionality,anti-static functionality, anti-fog functionality, scratch resistance,mechanical durability, hydrophobic functionality, reflectivefunctionality, darkening functionality, aesthetic functionalityincluding tinting, or any combination of these.

Accordingly various embodiments of the lens body 108 and/or lenscomponent 110 can include a polarizing layer, one or more adhesivelayers, a photochromic layer, an electrochromic layer, aphotoelectrochomic layer, a hard coat, a flash mirror, aliquid-containing layer, an antireflection coating, a mirror coating, aninterference stack, chroma enhancing dyes, an index-matching layer, ascratch resistant coating, a hydrophobic coating, an anti-staticcoating, chroma enhancement dyes, color enhancement elements, laserattenuation filters, trichoic filters, violet edge filter, UV filter, IRfilter, glass layers, hybrid glass-plastic layers, anti-reflectivecoatings, contrast enhancement elements, a liquid-containing layer, agel containing layer, a refractive index matching layer, thermalinsulation layer, electrical insulation layer, electrical conductinglayer, neutral density filter, other lens elements, or a combination oflens components.

As an example, the lens component 110 can include one or more layersthat can serve to thermally insulate the lens component 110 such that itcan be used in high temperature molding processes without subjecting thecertain functional layers to temperatures sufficient to significantlydegrade their optical performance. In some embodiments, the lenscomponent 110 can serve as a thermally isolating element or vehicle thatcan incorporate functional elements that may be degraded if subjected tohigh temperature manufacturing processes. As such, the lens component110 can be used to incorporate these types of functional elements intolenses that otherwise are formed and/or manufactured using hightemperature processes. As another example, the lens component 110 caninclude a substrate with one or more functional coatings depositedthereon. The functional coatings can include elements that would bedegraded or whose performance would be altered if subjected to hightemperatures, such as certain chroma enhancement dyes. The lenscomponent 110 could then be bonded to the lens body 108 using a UV-curedadhesive, thus thermally isolating the lens component 110 and theincluded functional layers from the high temperature processesassociated with the manufacture of the lens body 108.

As another example of incorporating functionality into lens 102 a or 102b, the lens component 110 or the lens body 108 can include layers orelements that serve to tint the lens 102 a, 102 b. Tinting can be addedto a lens element in different ways. In some embodiments, color can bedeposited on the lens element using a vapor or liquid source. The colorcan coat the lens element or it can penetrate into the element, and/orcan be applied using a sublimation process. In some embodiments, colorcan be added to a material used to make the lens element, such as addingpowdered color or plastic pellets to material that is extruded,injection molded, or otherwise molded into a lens element. In someembodiments where liquids are used, the color can be added by a dipprocess. In such embodiments, a gradient tint or bi-gradient tint can beachieved through the dip process. In certain embodiments, a liquidcoloring technique can be used to tint one or more lens elements. Forexample, liquid dye can be added to the polymer during an injectionmolding process.

By applying a tint to the lens component 110 or another layer thatbecomes a part of the lens component 110, a substantial increase inmanufacturing capacity can be realized. Another advantageous feature canbe that undesired color transfer, e.g. to lens cloths of packaging, canbe reduced or eliminated by not positioning the tinted layer on anexterior surface of the lens, e.g. putting the tinted layer betweenprotective layers. Moreover, tinting can be applied to layers which donot experience high temperature processes during manufacture which canprotect chromophores that may have poor heat stability. In someembodiments, tint is included in a layer, such as a functional layer orsubstrate layer. For example, a solution incorporating chromophoreshaving desired chromatic properties can be applied to a functional hardcoat layer that is porous. As a result, the hard coat layer can beimpregnated with the chromophores. As another example, powdered dyes canbe included with plastic pellets during the manufacture of the plastic.The compatible dyes can form a substantially uniform mixture with theplastic to form a tinted plastic material. In some embodiments, a tintedlayer can be constructed such that chromophores can be a principalcomponent of the layer or a smaller fraction of the tinted layer,according to the desired chromatic properties of the layer. Thethickness of the layer can be adjusted to achieve a desired colorprofile of the lens.

Some embodiments provide for eyewear 100 having electrochromicfunctionality incorporated into the lens component 110 or the lens body108. The eyewear 100 can include a power source 105, such as a battery,an electrical contact, and a conductor that conveys a voltage to anelectrode in the electrochromic component layer. In some embodiments,the eyewear 100 includes control logic connected to one or more sensorsfor automatic adjustment of the variable filter components of the lens.The one or more sensors can comprise color sensors, visible/invisiblelight sensors or some other type of sensor that can detect a change inthe scene and automatically adjust the attenuation state of theelectrochromic component layer. The eyewear 100 can include a userinterface element 107 integrated into the frame 104, the ear stems 106a, 106 b, the lens 102 a, 102 b, or any combination of these. The userinterface element 107 can be configured to allow the user to controlactivation and deactivation of the electrochromic layer. The userinterface element 107 can be a switch, button, toggle, slide,touch-interface element, knob, other mechanical feature, or otherelectrical feature. For example, the user interface element 107 caninclude a touch-sensitive region where if a user contacts said regionthe electrochromic element changes state from dark to transparent orvice versa. In some embodiments, the lens 102 a, 102 b can include bothphotochromic and electrochromic layers, integrated into a singlefunctional layer or implemented in separate functional layers. Theeyewear 100 can include a sensor 109 integrated into the frame 104, theear stems 106 a, 106 b, the lens 102 a, 102 b, or any combination ofthese. The sensor 109 can be configured to sense ambient lightconditions (e.g., brightness of the ambient light and/or spectralcharacteristics of the ambient light). In some implementations, thesensor 109 can comprise a light sensor, a color sensor, a hyper-spectralcamera, etc. The sensor 109 can include a control circuit that canprovide a signal to activate and deactivate the electrochromic layer inresponse to a change in the scene (e.g., change in the ambient light ofthe scene, change in the chromaticity of the scene, etc.). In variousimplementations, the eyewear can comprise one or more eye-trackingdevices that can track the user's gaze and/or size of the pupil. The oneor more eye-tracking devices can comprise cameras. The one or moreeye-tracking devices can be disposed on a portion of the frame thatfaces the user's eyes. The one or more eye-tracking devices can beconfigured to communicate with an electronic hardware processor that canprovide a signal to activate and deactivate the electrochromic layer inresponse to a change in the user's gaze and/or pupil size. For example,if the one or more eye-tracking devices determine that the user's pupilsize is reduced—which may be due to increase brightness of the ambientlight, then the luminous transmittance and/or average visible lighttransmittance of the eyewear 100 may be reduced. As another example, theone or more eye-tracking devices may be configured to identify the scenetowards which the user's gaze is directed towards and change opticalcharacteristics of the lenses 102 a, 102 b (e.g., luminoustransmittance, chromaticity, color enhancement, attenuation, etc.) basedon the scene.

In another example, the lens component 110 can include a flash mirrorand one or more hard coats on either side of the lens component 110. Thelens body 108 can include an anti-fog coating on a surface of the lensbody 108 and one or more hard coats on either side of the lens body 108.The flash mirror can be incorporated into the lens component 110 usingvapor deposition techniques. The anti-fog coating can be incorporatedinto the lens body 108 using immersion process techniques. The lenscomponent 110 can then be attached to the lens body 108 by way of anadhesion layer such that the flash mirror side of the lens component 110forms the exterior side of the finished lens and the anti-fog coating ofthe lens body 108 forms the interior side of the finished lens. In someembodiments, the lens 102 a and/or 102 b can include a heated lenselement that can provide anti-fog functionality. For example, anelectrically conductive transparent film of indium tin oxide-basedmaterial, zinc oxide-based material, or another suitable conductivematerial with substantial transparency can be included in the lens 102 aand/or 102 b, and a voltage can be applied across it such that heat isgenerated. As another example, the lens 102 a and/or 102 b can includenon-transparent filaments that heat when a voltage is applied acrossthem, providing an anti-fog functionality.

One or more advantages can be realized in at least some circumstanceswhen a lens function, such as, for example, an anti-reflection film, isadded to a lens body by a lamination process. For example, functionalelements such as optical filters, mirror elements, anti-fog layers,interference stacks, light polarizers, and photochromic layers can beincorporated into the lens 102 a or 102 b without using processes tocoat the surface of the lens. As described herein, coating or depositionprocesses sometimes incorporate steps that can substantially degrade orimpair certain functional lens elements or layers. Certain coatingprocesses create surfaces that are not entirely smooth or uniform. Thus,undesirable and unpredictable optical effects that would otherwise beexpected to occur in the lens 102 a or 102 b if the surface were coated,are reduced, minimized, or eliminated altogether when the lenses 102 a,102 b are manufactured according to techniques described herein.

By incorporating some of the functionalities into the lens component110, the lens body 108 can have a coating applied or functional layerdisposed using methods such as, for example, vapor deposition withoutsubstantially altering the desirable functional attributes of the lenscomponent 110 or the lens body 108. For example, in various embodiments,the lens body 108 can be immersion or dip coated with a hydrophobiclayer. The lens component 110 can have an anti-reflection coatingapplied and the lens component 110 can be joined to the lens body 108after the application of the hydrophobic layer such that the resultinglens includes both the hydrophobic functionality and the anti-reflectionfunctionality without substantially altering the functionality of eithercoating.

Another advantage of incorporating functional elements into the lenscomponent 110 and/or lens body 108 is that it provides the ability toseparately manufacture each functional lens element. Thus, elements canbe made in parallel and assembled to make a lens 102 a, 102 b havingdesired functional qualities, thereby increasing manufacturingcapabilities and/or lowering costs. In addition, multiple functionalproperties can be imparted to a lens using the techniques and lenselements described herein, providing flexibility and greater capacityfor creating lenses 102 a, 102 b with varying characteristics.

Optical Filter System Having Two or More than Two Filter States

Various embodiments of eyewear 100 can include an embodiment of a lens102 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. The lens 102 can have structural andfunctional features similar to lens 102 a and 102 b discussed above. Thelens 102 can comprise an optical filter system that has two or more thantwo filter states. The optical filter system can be configured to beuser controllable, sensor controllable or logic controllable to switchbetween the two or more than two filter states. Various opticalcharacteristics if the optical filter system, such as, for example,luminous transmittance, chromaticity, visible light transmittance, colorenhancement, contrast sensitivity, etc. may be different between the twoor more filter states. It is appreciated that the same opticalcharacteristic need not change as the optical filter system switchesbetween different states of the two or more states but different opticalcharacteristics may change as the optical filter system switches betweendifferent pairs of the two or more states. The optical filter system cancomprise one or more electroactive material and/or photoactivematerials. For example, the optical filter can comprise anelectrochromic material, a photochromic material, dyes, nanoparticles,liquid crystals, polymers (e.g., electrochromic polymers orelectroactive polymers), solid particles, and/or other materials thatcan be configured to alter one or more optical characteristics of theoptical filter system such as, for example, light transmittance,chromaticity, and/or chroma of light transmitted through the opticalfilter system in response to an optical stimulus, an electricalstimulus, an input from a user, a sensor and/or an electronic hardwareprocessor. Various implementations of the optical filter system cancomprise a single layer comprising a mixture of different electrochromicmaterials, photochromic materials, liquid crystals, polymers, and/ornanoparticles, having different spectral and transmittancecharacteristics. Some implementations of the optical filter system cancomprise multiple layers. Different multiple layers can compriseelectrochromic materials, photochromic materials, liquid crystals,polymers, and/or nanoparticles that are configured to provide differentoptical characteristics. For example, some of the multiple layers cancomprise electrochromic materials, photochromic materials, liquidcrystals, polymers (e.g., electrochromic polymers or electroactivepolymers), and/or nanoparticles that are configured to attenuate lightin the spectral range between about 440 nm and about 480 nm, 445 nm andabout 480 nm, 480 nm and about 510 nm and/or between 440 nm and about510 nm. As another example, some of the multiple layers can compriseelectrochromic materials, photochromic materials, liquid crystals,polymers (e.g., electrochromic polymers or electroactive polymers),and/or nanoparticles that are configured to attenuate light in thespectral range between about 540 nm and about 560 nm, between about 540nm and about 570 nm, between about 540 nm and about 580 nm, betweenabout 570 nm and about 580 nm, between about 572 nm and about 576 nm,and/or, between about 540 nm and about 600 nm. As yet another example,some of the multiple layers can comprise electrochromic materials,photochromic materials, liquid crystals, polymers (e.g., electrochromicpolymers or electroactive polymers), and/or nanoparticles that areconfigured to attenuate light in the spectral range between about 600 nmand about 630 nm, and/or, between about 630 nm and about 660 nm. Some ofthe multiple layers can comprise electrochromic materials, photochromicmaterials, liquid crystals, polymers, and/or nanoparticles that areconfigured to increase or decrease chroma value of light transmittedthrough the lens in one or more chroma enhancement windows. The one ormore chroma enhancement windows can include a first spectral range ofabout 440 nm to about 510 nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm toabout 600 nm, a third spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, afourth spectral range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, a fifth spectralrange of about 490 nm to about 510 nm, a sixth spectral range of about540 nm to about 570 nm, a seventh spectral range of about 580 nm andabout 600 nm or any combination of the first, second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth and seventh spectral ranges.

In some of the two or more states, the optical filter system can have anaverage visible light transmittance of at least 70%. The average visiblelight transmittance is given by the amount of incident visible lightthat is transmitted through the lens. For example, in some of the two ormore filter states, the optical filter system can have an averagevisible light transmittance greater than or equal to about 70% and lessthan or equal to about 100%, greater than or equal to about 75% and lessthan or equal to about 99%, greater than or equal to about 77% and lessthan or equal to about 97%, greater than or equal to about 80% and lessthan or equal to about 95%, greater than or equal to about 82% and lessthan or equal to about 93%, greater than or equal to about 85% and lessthan or equal to about 90%, greater than or equal to about 87% and lessthan or equal to about 99%, greater than or equal to about 90% and lessthan or equal to about 100%, or any other value in the ranges/sub-rangesdefined by these values. The change in the value of the average lighttransmittance when switching from one state to another can be greaterthan or equal to about 5%, greater than or equal to about 10%, greaterthan or equal to about 15%, greater than or equal to about 20%, and/orless than or equal to about 30%.

In some of the two or more states, the optical filter system can have anaverage visible light transmittance less than or equal to about 88%. Forexample, in some of the two or more filter states, the optical filtersystem can have an average visible light transmittance greater than orequal to about 8% and less than or equal to about 88%, greater than orequal to about 10% and less than or equal to about 80%, greater than orequal to about 12% and less than or equal to about 70%, greater than orequal to about 15% and less than or equal to about 60%, greater than orequal to about 20% and less than or equal to about 50%, greater than orequal to about 25% and less than or equal to about 40%, greater than orequal to about 30% and less than or equal to about 45%, greater than orequal to about 35% and less than or equal to about 40%, or any othervalue in the ranges/sub-ranges defined by these values. The change inthe value of the average light transmittance when switching from onestate to another can be greater than or equal to about 5%, greater thanor equal to about 10%, greater than or equal to about 15%, greater thanor equal to about 20%, greater than or equal to about 30%, greater thanor equal to about 40%, greater than or equal to about 50%, greater thanor equal to about 60%, greater than or equal to about 100%, greater thanor equal to about 500%, and/or less than or equal to about 1000%, and/orless than or equal to about 10000%.

In some of the two or more states, the optical filter system can have aluminous transmittance of at least 70%. For example, in some of the twoor more states, the optical filter system can have a luminoustransmittance greater than or equal to about 70% and less than or equalto about 100%, greater than or equal to about 75% and less than or equalto about 99%, greater than or equal to about 77% and less than or equalto about 97%, greater than or equal to about 80% and less than or equalto about 95%, greater than or equal to about 82% and less than or equalto about 93%, greater than or equal to about 85% and less than or equalto about 90%, greater than or equal to about 87% and less than or equalto about 99%, greater than or equal to about 90% and less than or equalto about 100%, or any other value in the ranges/sub-ranges defined bythese values. The luminous transmittance can be determined according toa technique defined in section 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009specification for nonprescription sunglass and fashion eyewearrequirements. The luminous transmittance can be measured with respect toa suitable illuminant, such as, for example, CIE standard illuminantD65. The state in which the optical filter system has a luminoustransmittance of at least 70% can be referred to as the faded state. Thechange in the value of luminous transmittance when switching from onestate to another can be greater than or equal to about 5%, greater thanor equal to about 10%, greater than or equal to about 15%, greater thanor equal to about 20%, and/or less than or equal to about 30%.

In some of the two or more states, the optical filter system can have aluminous transmittance less than or equal to about 88%. For example, insome of the two or more states, the optical filter system can have aluminous transmittance greater than or equal to about 8% and less thanor equal to about 88%, greater than or equal to about 10% and less thanor equal to about 80%, greater than or equal to about 12% and less thanor equal to about 70%, greater than or equal to about 15% and less thanor equal to about 60%, greater than or equal to about 20% and less thanor equal to about 50%, greater than or equal to about 25% and less thanor equal to about 40%, greater than or equal to about 30% and less thanor equal to about 45%, greater than or equal to about 35% and less thanor equal to about 40%, or any other value in the ranges/sub-rangesdefined by these values. The state in which the optical filter systemhas a luminous transmittance less than or equal to about 70% can bereferred to as the dark/darkened state. The change in the value ofluminous transmittance when switching from one state to another can begreater than or equal to about 5%, greater than or equal to about 10%,greater than or equal to about 15%, greater than or equal to about 20%,greater than or equal to about 30%, greater than or equal to about 40%,greater than or equal to about 50%, greater than or equal to about 60%,greater than or equal to about 100%, greater than or equal to about500%, and/or less than or equal to about 1000%, and/or less than orequal to about 10000%.

In various faded or darkened states, the lens can appear gray, clear,brown, black, violet, orange, pink, green, blue, yellow, magenta, or anyother color. For example, the lens can appear gray or clear when theoptical filter system is in the faded state. As another example, thelens can appear brown, green, blue, purple, orange, pink, or anycombination of these colors when the optical filter system is in thedarkened state. As yet another example, the lens can appear gray, brown,green, blue, purple, orange, pink, or any combination of these colorswhen the optical filter system is in the faded state. The chromaticityof the lens can be configured to provide a desired luminoustransmittance and/or a color enhancement (e.g., chroma enhancement) thatwould allow the wearer to safely and efficiently perform one or moreactivities (e.g., a sporting activity, driving, day-to-day activities)in various light conditions (e.g., bright light condition, medium lightcondition or low light condition).

In various faded or darkened states, the CIE chromaticity x-value of thelens can be greater than 0 and less than 0.8 and/or the CIE chromaticityy-value of the lens can be greater than 0 and less than 0.9. Forexample, the CIE chromaticity x-value of the lens in various faded ordarkened states can be greater than or equal to about 0.05 and less thanor equal to about 0.75, greater than or equal to about 0.1 and less thanor equal to about 0.7, greater than or equal to about 0.15 and less thanor equal to about 0.65, greater than or equal to about 0.2 and less thanor equal to about 0.6, greater than or equal to about 0.25 and less thanor equal to about 0.55, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less thanor equal to about 0.5, greater than or equal to about 0.35 and less thanor equal to about 0.45, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less thanor equal to about 0.35, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less thanor equal to about 0.34, greater than or equal to about 0.35 and lessthan or equal to about 0.5, or any value in the ranges/sub-rangesdefined by these values.

As another example, the CIE chromaticity y-value of the lens in variousfaded or darkened states can be greater than or equal to about 0.05 andless than or equal to about 0.83, greater than or equal to about 0.1 andless than or equal to about 0.8, greater than or equal to about 0.15 andless than or equal to about 0.75, greater than or equal to about 0.2 andless than or equal to about 0.7, greater than or equal to about 0.25 andless than or equal to about 0.65, greater than or equal to about 0.3 andless than or equal to about 0.6, greater than or equal to about 0.35 andless than or equal to about 0.55, greater than or equal to about 0.4 andless than or equal to about 0.5, greater than or equal to about 0.15 andless than or equal to about 0.3, greater than or equal to about 0.35 andless than or equal to about 0.65, or any value in the ranges/sub-rangesdefined by these values. The change in the CIE chromaticity x-value ory-value when switching from one state to another can be greater than orequal to about 0.05, greater than or equal to about 0.1, greater than orequal to about 0.15, greater than or equal to about 0.2, greater than orequal to about 0.25, greater than or equal to about 0.3, greater than orequal to about 0.35, greater than or equal to about 0.4, greater than orequal to about 0.45, greater than or equal to about 0.5, greater than orequal to about 0.55, and/or less than or equal to about 0.7, and/or lessthan or equal to about 0.8, and/or less than or equal to about 0.9.

The optical filter system can be configured to enhance chroma of a sceneviewed through the lens in a respective one of the two or more states ascompared to the chroma of a scene viewed through a lens with a neutraldensity optical filter having the same luminous transmittance as theluminous transmittance of the optical filter system in the respectivestate. In a respective one of the two or more states, the optical filtersystem can be configured to provide an increase or a decrease in chromavalue of a 30 nm wide light stimulus of uniform intensity averaged overthe spectral bandwidth of the one or more chroma enhancement windowsidentified above when the center wavelength of the 30 nm wide lightstimulus lies within the spectral bandwidth as compared to a neutraldensity filter having the same integrated light transmittance withineach 30 nm stimulus band as within each corresponding spectral bandwidthof the optical filter system. The neutral density filter is a uniformattenuation filter.

For example, in some or all of the two or more states, the opticalfilter system can be configured to provide an increase or decrease inaverage chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within one ormore chroma enhancement windows. The one or more chroma enhancementwindows can include a first spectral range of about 440 nm to about 510nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm, a thirdspectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, a fourth spectral rangeof about 440 nm to about 480 nm, a fifth spectral range of about 490 nmto about 510 nm, a sixth spectral range of about 540 nm to about 570 nm,a seventh spectral range of about 580 nm and about 600 nm or anycombination of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth andseventh spectral ranges.

As another example, in some or all of the two or more states, theoptical filter system can be configured increase average chroma value oflight transmitted through the lens within one or more chroma enhancementwindows by about 2% or more as compared to a neutral density filter. Theneutral density filter is a uniform attenuation filter. The averageincrease in chroma value of light transmitted through the lens withinone or more chroma enhancement windows can be about 3% or more, 5% ormore, 10% or more, 15% or more or 20% or more as compared to a neutraldensity filter.

The change in the average chroma value in one or more of the chromaenhancement windows when switching from one state to another can begreater than or equal to about 5%, greater than or equal to about 10%,greater than or equal to about 15%, greater than or equal to about 20%,greater than or equal to about 25%, greater than or equal to about 30%,greater than or equal to about 35%, and/or less than or equal to about50%, and/or less than or equal to about 60%.

Various implementations of the optical filter system can be configuredto switch between (i) a faded state and a darkened state, (ii) twodifferent faded states, or (iii) two different darkened states inresponse to an electrical stimulus, an optical stimulus, an inputprovided by the user, a signal from a sensor or an electronic hardwareprocessor. At least one of a luminous transmittance, a colorenhancement, a chroma enhancement, chromaticity of the optical filtersystem, or, contrast sensitivity can be different between the two ormore switchable states. For example, in some implementations, theluminous transmittance of the optical filter system can be differentbetween the two or more switchable states. As another example, in someimplementations, the relative chroma value of the scene viewed throughthe optical filter system can be different between the two or moreswitchable states. As yet another example, in some implementations, thechromaticity of the optical filter system can be different between thetwo or more switchable states. As another example, the absorbance and/orthe absorptance spectrum of visible light transmitted through theoptical filter system can be different between the two or moreswitchable states.

The switching time to switch between the two or more states can begreater than about 100 ms and less than about 10 s. For example, theswitching time to switch between the two or more states can be greaterthan or equal to about 500 ms and less than or equal 9 s, greater thanor equal to about 1 s and less than or equal 8.5 s, greater than orequal to about 3 s and less than or equal 8 s, greater than or equal toabout 3.5 s and less than or equal 7.5 s, greater than or equal to about4 s and less than or equal 7 s, greater than or equal to about 4.5 s andless than or equal 6.5 s, greater than or equal to about 5 s and lessthan or equal 6 s, or any value in the ranges/sub-ranges defined bythese values.

It is appreciated that one or more optical characteristics need notchange when the optical filter system switches between the two or morestates. For example, consider an optical filter system that isconfigured to be switchable between three states. Such an optical filtersystem can be configured such that the CIE chromaticity x-value ory-value changes when the optical filter system switches from a firststate to a second state while the luminous transmittance, average chromavalue in one or more spectral regions, and the value of maximumabsorbance/absorptance in one or more spectral regions remains the same.The optical filter system can be configured such that the value ofmaximum absorbance/absorptance in one or more spectral regions changeswhen the optical filter system switches from the first state to a thirdstate while CIE chromaticity x-value or y-value, luminous transmittance,and average chroma value in one or more spectral regions remains thesame. The optical filter system can be further configured such that thevalue of maximum absorbance/absorptance in one or more spectral regions,the average chroma value in one or more spectral regions and theluminous transmittance changes when the optical filter system switchesfrom the second state to the third state while CIE chromaticity x-valueor y-value remains the same.

The optical filter system described herein can comprise one or moreoptical filters with variable optical characteristics or a combinationof one or more optical filters with variable optical characteristics andone or more of optical filters with fixed optical characteristics (alsoreferred to herein as static or fixed optical filters) as described indetail below.

Lens with One or More Optical Filters with Variable OpticalCharacteristics and One or More Optical Filters with Fixed OpticalCharacteristics

The lens 102 can comprise an optical filter system comprising a anoptical filter with variable optical characteristics (also referred toas a variable optical filter) including a variable filter component 114and an optical filter with fixed optical characteristics (also referredto as a static filter) including a static filter component 116. Asdiscussed above, the optical filter with variable opticalcharacteristics can alter the optical characteristics in response to anelectrical stimulus and/or an optical stimulus. In variousimplementations, one or more optical characteristics of the variableoptical filter can be controlled by an input provided by a user and/or asignal provided by a sensor or an electronic hardware processor. Invarious embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can be referredto as a dynamic filter component. In various embodiments, the staticfilter component 114 can be referred to as a fixed filter component. Theoptical filter system is configured to switch between two or more filterstates. For example, in some implementations, the optical filter systemis configured to switch between a first state and a second state. Insome embodiments, the optical filter system is configured to switch toadditional states (e.g., a third state or a fourth state), such that thefilter has three or more than three filter states. The first state canhave a first luminous transmittance and the second state can have asecond luminous transmittance. As used herein, luminous transmittancecan be measured with respect to a standard daylight illuminant, such asCIE illuminant D65. In various embodiments, the first luminoustransmittance can be greater than or equal to the second luminoustransmittance. For example, the first luminous transmittance can belower than the second luminous transmittance such that the lens is in adark state when the optical filter system is in the first state and thelens in a faded state when the optical filter system is in the secondfilter state. In various embodiments, the first luminous transmittancecan be less than about 30%. For example, the first luminoustransmittance can be less than about 5%, less than about 8%, less thanabout 10%, less than about 12%, less than about 15%, less than about18%, less than about 20% or less than about 25%. In various embodiments,the second luminous transmittance can be greater than about 10%. Forexample, the second luminous transmittance can be greater than about15%, greater than about 20%, greater than about 25%, greater than about30%, greater than about 35%, greater than about 40%, greater than about50%, greater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, greater than about80%, greater than about 85% or greater than about 90%. In someembodiments, the variable filter component of the optical filter systemcan have filter states that shift between any of the luminoustransmittance values identified in the preceding sentence.

Lenses disclosed herein can have a variety of colors or any desiredcolor. For example, in various embodiments, the lens 102 can appear darkgrey, dark brown, dark persimmon, dark yellow, dark red, dark rose, darkgreen or dark blue when it is configured to be in the first state. Invarious embodiments, the lens 102 can appear light grey, light brown,persimmon, yellow, red, rose, light green or light blue when it isconfigured to be in the second state. In various embodiments, the lens102 can appear clear when it is configured to be in the second state.

In some embodiments, the lens 102 can be configured to switch betweenthe first and the second state based on an input from a user wearing theeyewear 100 comprising the lens 102, a signal from a control circuit, asignal from an electronic hardware processor, or an input from a sensor.In some embodiments, the lens 102 can be configured to switch betweenthe first and the second state based on a voice command (e.g.,commanding “light” or “dark”) from the user. In some embodiments, thelens 102 can be configured to switch between the first and the secondstate in response to an electrical signal. In some embodiments, the lens102 can be configured to switch between the first and the second statein response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In differentembodiments, other methods of switching between the first and the secondstate can be employed, such as automatic switching. The lens 102 can beconfigured such that the lens can maintain the desired state (firstfilter state or second filter state) without requiring energy. In someimplementations, activation energy (e.g., electrical energy, opticalenergy, or thermal energy) can be provided if the opticalcharacteristics of the lens drift from the desired filter state.

Embodiments of eyewear including electro-optically controllable materialthat can switch between a first state and a second state are describedin International Publication No. WO 2011/127015 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Embodiments of eyewear with variabletransmittance optical filters comprising one or more chromophores thathave electrochromic and photochromic properties are described in U.S.Publication No. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

The optical filter system can include a chroma enhancement material (forexample, a dye, a rare earth oxide, etc.) that increases chroma in atleast one chroma enhancement window. Enhancing chroma in at least onechroma enhancement window can advantageously increase dynamic visualacuity of the lens 102 in the first and/or the second state.Additionally, enhancing chroma in at least one chroma enhancement windowcan increase colorfulness, clarity, and/or vividness of a scene viewedthrough the lens 102 in the first and/or second state. Embodiments ofeyewear including one or more optical filters with chroma enhancementmaterial that increase chroma in at least one chroma enhancement windoware described in U.S. Publication No. 2011/0255051 which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

In various embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can providethe functionality of switching between the first and second state. Invarious embodiments, the static filter component 116 can provide chromaenhancement. In some embodiments the variable filter component 114 caninclude one or more chroma enhancement materials such that the staticfilter component is incorporated in the variable filter component 114.The variable filter component 114 and the static filter component 116can be a part of the lens component 110 discussed above. In variousembodiments, the variable filter component 114 can be disposed withrespect to the static filter component 116 such that the variable filtercomponent 114 and the static filter component 116 are directly adjacenteach other. In other embodiments, the variable filter component 114 andthe static filter component 116 can include interleaving layers betweenthem.

Various embodiments of the variable filter component 114 can includeelectrochromic material, photochromic material or a combination ofelectrochromic and photochromic material. Various embodiments of thevariable filter component 114 can comprise electrochromic materialscomprising transition metal oxide, such as, for example, WO₃, NiO_(x),V₂O₅. Various embodiments of the variable filter component 114 cancomprise electrochromic materials comprising complex ionic compounds,such as, for example, Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃. Various embodiments of the variablefilter component 114 can comprise electrochromic polymeric materials.Various embodiments of the variable filter component 114 can comprisesolid particles, nano particles or liquid crystals. Examples of variableoptical filters including electrochromic material, photochromic materialor a combination of electrochromic and photochromic material aredescribed in International Publication No. WO 2011/127015 and U.S.Publication No. 2012/0044560, each of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. Examples of optical filters includingelectrochromic material, photochromic material or a combination ofelectrochromic and photochromic material are also described inInternational Publication No. WO 2013/169987 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. In various embodiments, the staticfilter component 116 can include chroma enhancing material (e.g., dyes,rare earth oxides, etc.). Examples of static optical filters includingchroma enhancing material are described in U.S. Publication No.2011/0255051 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Embodiments of variable filter component 114 and static filter component116 are described in further detail below.

Various embodiments of the optical filter system can include an edgefilter that absorbs wavelengths at the violet edge of the visiblespectrum. The absorbance spectrum of the edge filter has an opticaldensity greater than a threshold value (A) for wavelengths at the violetedge of the visible spectrum and a bandwidth (B) which is equal to thedifference between the wavelength in the visible spectrum (λ₀) at whichthe absorbance spectrum of the edge filter has an optical density 50% ofthe threshold value A and the edge of the visible spectrum (λ_(edge)).Without subscribing to any particular theory, optical density is equalto a logarithmic ratio of the radiation incident on the filter to theradiation transmitted through the filter. Thus, optical density can becalculated by the equation—log₁₀ I₁/I₀, where I₁ is the intensity of theradiation of transmitted through the filter and I₀ is the intensity ofthe radiation incident on the filter. In various embodiments of the edgefilter, the threshold value A can be greater than or equal to about 2,greater than or equal to about 3, greater than or equal to about 4,and/or less than or equal to about 100.

In various embodiments of the edge filter, the bandwidth B can begreater than or equal to about 5 nm, greater than or equal to about 10nm, greater than or equal to about 20 nm, less than or equal to about100 nm, less than or equal to about 80 nm, less than or equal to about50 nm, and/or less than or equal to about 30 nm. In some embodiments,the edge filter has an optical density greater than about 2.5 forwavelengths less than about 410 nm. The edge filter can be included inthe variable filter component 114, in the static filter component 116 orprovided as a separate component. In various embodiments, the edgefilter can be an UV light absorbing filter. In some embodiments, theoptical filter system can include an UV light absorbing filter.

The lens 102 can include additional laminates, coatings, and other lenselements that impart desired functionality to the eyewear, including,for example an interference stack, a flash mirror, photochromiclayer(s), electrochromic layer(s), anti-reflective coating, anti-staticcoating, liquid containing layer, polarizing elements, chroma enhancingdyes, color enhancing elements, contrast enhancing elements, trichoicfilters, or any combination of these. The functional layers can includesub-layers, which can individually or in combination incorporate one ormore functions into the lens 102. Various embodiments of the opticalfilter system can include a laser attenuation filter.

Variable Filter Component

In various embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can includephotochromic compositions that darken in bright light and fade in lowerlight environments. Such compositions can include, for example, butwithout limitation, silver, copper, and cadmium halides. Photochromiccompounds for lenses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,312,811,5,658,502, 4,537,612, each of which are hereby expressly incorporated inits entirety herein by reference. Examples of photochromic material forlenses are also described in International Publication No. WO2013/169987 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Alens 102 incorporating one or more layers including photochromiccompositions would thus provide relatively little light attenuation whenused in a lower light environment, but would automatically provideincreased light attenuation when used in bright light, such as when wornoutdoors. Thus, in some embodiments, the lens can be suitable for use inboth indoor and outdoor environments. In certain embodiments, thephotochromic compositions can selectively alter the chroma enhancingeffect of a lens. For example, eyewear can be configured to transitionfrom a neutral gray or clear chromaticity to an activity-specificnon-neutral chromaticity upon substantial exposure to sunlight.

In various embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can comprisean electrochromic device. The electrochromic device can be flexible. Invarious implementations, the electrochromic device can include anelectrochromic conducting polymer layer, a conductive reflective layer,counter electrode and a liquid or a solid electrolyte. The liquidelectrolyte may comprise, for example, a mixture of sulfuric acid,poly(vinyl sulfate), and poly(anethosulfonate). The solid electrolytemay comprise, for example, a mixture of sulfuric acid, poly(vinylsulfate), poly(anethosulfonate), and poly(vinyl alcohol). Theelectrochromic conducting polymer layer may comprise, for example,poly(diphenyl amine), poly(4-amino biphenyl), poly(aniline),poly(3-alkyl thiophene), poly(phenylene), poly(phenylene vinylene),poly(alkylene vinylenes), poly(amino quinolines), or poly(diphenylbenzidine) and one or more dopants such as poly(styrene sulfonate),poly(anethosulfonate), poly(vinyl sulfate), p-toluene sulfonate,trifluoromethane sulfonate, and poly(vinyl stearate). Methods ofmanufacturing such electrochromic devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,995,273 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Invarious implementations, the variable filter component 114 can comprisea complimentary polymer or “dual-polymer” electrochromic device. Suchdevices and methods of fabricating them are disclosed in U.S.Publication No. 2013/0120821 which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety. In various implementations, the variable filtercomponent 114 can comprise variable-emittance, electrochromic devicesincluding IR-active conducting polymers. Such devices and methods offabricating them are disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2014/0268283which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In various embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can includeone or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromicproperties. Examples of chromophores that have electrochromic andphotochromic properties are described in U.S. Publication No.2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In various embodiments, the variable filter component 114 can include anelectrochromic functional layer including an electrochromic materialthat darkens and fades in response to an electrical stimulation (e.g.,an electrical voltage, an electrical current or an electrical impulse).The electrochromic functional layer can include a dichroic dyeguest-host device configured to provide variable light attenuation.Examples of electrochromic material for lenses are described inInternational Publication No. WO 2013/169987 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Examples of electrochromic materialfor lenses are also described in International Publication No. WO2011/127015 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.An electrode can be electrically coupled to the electrochromicfunctional layer. A power source (e.g., 105 of eyewear 100 in FIG. 1),such as a battery, can be attached to the eyewear 100 and electricallycoupled to the electrode coupled to the electrochromic functional layervia a conductor. In various embodiments, the conductor can be embeddedin the frame 104 of the eye wear 100 and/or the ear stems 106 a, 106 b.Changing the amount of power provided to the electrode changes a stateof the electrochromic material. A user interface element (e.g., 107 ofeyewear 100 in FIG. 1) can be disposed on the eyewear and configured tochange an amount of power provided to the electrode from the powersource. The user interface element can be integrated into the frame 104,the ear stems 106, the lens 102, or any combination of these. The userinterface element can be configured to allow the user to controlactivation and deactivation of the electrochromic material. The userinterface element can be a switch, button, toggle, slide,touch-interface element, knob, other mechanical feature, or otherelectrical feature. For example, the user interface element can includea touch-sensitive region where if a user contacts said region theelectrochromic material changes state from dark with reduced lighttransmittance to faded with increased light transmittance. In variousimplementations, a sensor circuit (e.g., sensor 109 including a controlcircuit of eyewear 100 in FIG. 1) can be disposed on the eyewear andconfigured to change an amount of power provided to the electrode fromthe power source. In some embodiments, the sensor circuit (e.g., sensor109 including a control circuit of eyewear 100 in FIG. 1) can beconfigured to provide the desired power to the electrode.

As discussed above, the electrochromic functional layer can include adichroic dye guest-host device configured to provide variable lightattenuation. For example, a functional layer can include spacedsubstrates coated with a conducting layer, an alignment layer, andpreferably a passivation layer. Disposed between the substrates is aguest-host solution which includes a host material and a light-absorbingdichroic dye guest. Power can be supplied to the functional layerthrough a power source (e.g., a battery) in the host eyewear. The powersource provides a supply of electrical power to the conducting layers.Adjustment of the power supply alters the orientation of the hostmaterial which in turn alters the orientation of the dichroic dye. Lightis absorbed by the dichroic dye, depending upon its orientation, andthus provides variable light attenuation, that can be manually adjustedby the wearer. Such a dichroic dye guest-host device is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,239,778, the entire contents of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and made a part of this specification.

In various embodiments, a multi-layer interference coating including twoor more thin film layers of high refractive index material and two ormore thin film layers of low refractive index material can be disposedon the electrochromic functional layer. In some embodiments, the lens102 includes both photochromic and electrochromic layers, integratedinto a single functional layer or implemented in separate functionallayers.

In some embodiments, the electrochromic functional layer is produced bydepositing a composition containing a cross-linkable polymer onto asuitable support followed by in situ crosslinking. For example, apolymerizable composition can be applied onto a glass plate coated witha layer of WO₃ and a tin oxide conductive sublayer, and photopolymerizedby UV irradiation to obtain a membrane that is optically transparent inthe visible range and adherent to the support. The membrane can then beassembled with a counterelectrode formed on a glass plate bearing alayer of hydrogenated iridium oxide H_(x)IrO₂ and a tin oxide sublayer.The polymerizable composition can be formed from the lithium salt oftrifluoro-methanesulfonyl(1-acryloyl-2,2,2-tri-fluoroethanesulfonyl)imide,poly(theylene glycol) dimethacrylate, silica particles, and xanthone. Insome embodiments, an electrochromic layer is formed by twoelectrochromic layers separated by a film of ion-conducting material.Each electrochromic layer can be borne by a substrate coated with aconductive oxide, an indium tin oxide-based material, a zinc oxide-basedmaterial, or another type of conductive layer. The ion-conductingmaterial forms an ion-conducting polymer electrolyte and is formed by aproton-conducting polymer, for example a2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid homopolymer. The polymer filmcan be produced by depositing onto one of the electrodes a liquidreaction mixture containing the polymer precursor dissolved in a liquidsolvent, for example a mixture of water and NMP. In some embodiments, anelectrochromic layer includes an electrode and a counterelectrodeseparated by a solid polymer electrolyte, the electrode being formed bya transparent substrate bearing an electronically conductive film coatedwith a film of a cathode active material with electrochromic properties,the counterelectrode being formed by a transparent substrate bearing anelectronically conductive film coated with a film of an anode activematerial with electrochromic properties, the electrolyte being formed byan ion-conducting material including a salt dissolved in a solvatingsolid polymer. The electrochromic layer can be characterized in that theelectrolyte membrane is intercalated in the form of a composition of lowviscosity free of volatile liquid solvent and including a polymer or apolymer precursor and a salt.

Static Filter Component

In some embodiments, the optical filter system comprises a static filtercomponent 116 having a luminous transmittance less than or equal toabout 80%, less than or equal to about 70%, less than or equal to about60%, less than or equal to about 50%, less than or equal to about 45%,less than or equal to about 40%, greater than or equal to about 10%,greater than or equal to about 20%, greater than or equal to about 30%,and/or greater than or equal to about 40%.

In various embodiments, the static filter component 114 can include achroma-enhancing optical filter to provide chroma enhancement. Thechroma-enhancing filter generally changes the colorfulness of a sceneviewed through the lens 102 compared to a scene viewed through a lenswith the same luminous transmittance but a different spectraltransmittance profile (e.g., a flat filter profile). Embodiments ofchroma-enhancing filters are described in U.S. Publication No.2011/0255051 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The static filter component 116 can be configured to enhance the chromaprofile of a scene when the scene is viewed through the lens 102. Thestatic filter component 116 can be configured to increase or decreasechroma in one or more chroma enhancement windows in order to achieve anydesired effect. The one or more chroma enhancement windows can include afirst spectral range of about 440 nm to about 510 nm, a second spectralrange of about 540 nm to about 600 nm, a third spectral range of about630 nm to about 660 nm, or any combination of the first, second, andthird spectral ranges. The static filter component 116 can be configuredto preferentially transmit or attenuate light in any desired chromaenhancement windows. Any suitable process can be used to determine thedesired chroma enhancement windows. For example, the colorspredominantly reflected or emitted in a selected environment can bemeasured, and static filter component 116 can be adapted to providechroma enhancement in one or more spectral regions corresponding to thecolors that are predominantly reflected or emitted.

In certain embodiments, the static filter component 116 is configured toincrease or maximize chroma in the blue-green region of the visiblespectrum. A filter with such a configuration can provide an absorbancepeak with a maximum absorbance value at a wavelength of about 475 nm, ofabout 450 nm, or between about 445 nm and about 480 nm. The bandwidth ofthe absorbance peak at 80% of the maximum absorbance value can begreater than or equal to about 5 nm and/or less than or equal to 40 nm.In various embodiments, the bandwidth of the absorbance peak at 80% ofthe maximum absorbance value can be greater than or equal to about 10nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about20 nm, or another suitable value.

In certain embodiments, the static filter component 116 is configured toincrease or decrease chroma in the green-yellow region of the visiblespectrum. A filter with such a configuration can provide an absorbancepeak with a maximum absorbance value at a wavelength of about 575 nm, ofabout 550 nm, or between about 550 nm and about 580 nm. The bandwidth ofthe absorbance peak at 80% of the maximum absorbance value can begreater than or equal to about 5 nm and/or less than or equal to 40 nm.In various embodiments, the bandwidth of the absorbance peak at 80% ofthe maximum absorbance value can be greater than or equal to about 10nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about20 nm, or another suitable value.

In certain embodiments, the static filter component 116 is configured toincrease or decrease chroma in the orange-red region of the visiblespectrum. A filter with such a configuration can provide an absorbancepeak with a with a maximum absorbance value at a wavelength of about 650nm, of about 660 nm, or between about 630 nm and about 680 nm. Thebandwidth of the absorbance peak at 80% of the maximum absorbance valuecan be greater than or equal to about 5 nm and/or less than or equal to40 nm. In various embodiments, the bandwidth of the absorbance peak at80% of the maximum absorbance value can be greater than or equal toabout 10 nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equalto about 20 nm, or another suitable value.

In certain embodiments, the static filter component 116 is configured toincrease or decrease chroma across several, many, or most colors, or atleast many colors in the visible spectrum that are commonly encounteredin the environment of the wearer. A filter with such a configuration caninclude a plurality of absorbance peaks having maximum absorbance valueat wavelengths of about 415 nm, about 478 nm, about 574 nm, about 660nm, about 715 nm, etc. The bandwidth of each absorbance peak at 80% ofthe maximum absorbance value can be greater than or equal to about 10nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about20 nm, or another suitable value. Many other variations in the locationand number of absorbance peaks are possible. For example, someembodiments significantly attenuate light between about 558 nm and about580 nm by providing a peak having maximum absorbance value at about 574nm and adding an additional peak having maximum absorbance value atabout 561 nm. Such embodiments can provide substantially greater chromain the yellow-green region, including at wavelengths near about 555 nm.

Static filter component 116 that increases or decreases chroma in one ormore chroma enhancement windows can include dielectric stacks,multilayer interference coatings, rare earth oxide additives, organicdyes, or a combination of multiple polarization filters as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,054,902, the entire contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein and made a part of this specification. Someembodiments of interference coatings are sold by Oakley, Inc. ofFoothill Ranch, Calif., U.S.A. under the brand name Iridium®.

In certain embodiments, the static filter component 116 can include oneor more organic dyes that provide absorbance peaks having a maximumabsorbance value at one or more wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Forexample, in some embodiments, the static filter component 116 canincorporate organic dyes supplied by Exciton of Dayton, Ohio. At leastsome organic dyes supplied by Exciton are named according to theapproximate wavelength at which the absorbance peak has a maximumabsorbance value. For example, the organic dyes Exciton ABS 407, ABS473, ABS 574, ABS 647 and ABS 659 supplied by Exciton provide absorbancepeaks having a maximum absorbance value at about 407 nm, 473 nm, 574 nm,647 nm and 659 nm.

Other dyes can also be used to provide substantial increases in chroma.For example, Crysta-Lyn Chemical Company of Binghamton, N.Y. offers DLS402A dye, with an absorbance peak having a maximum absorbance value at402 nm, DLS 461B dye that provides an absorbance peak having a maximumabsorbance value at 461 nm, DLS 564B dye that provides an absorbancepeak having a maximum absorbance value at 564 nm and DLS 654B dye thatprovides an absorbance peak having a maximum absorbance value at 654 nm.

In some embodiments, two or more dyes can be used to create a singleabsorbance peak or a plurality of absorbance peaks in close proximity toone another. For example, an absorbance peak having a maximum absorbancevalue at a wavelength between about 555 nm and about 580 nm can becreated using two dyes having absorbance peaks with maximum absorbancevalues at about 561 nm and 574 nm. In another embodiment, an absorbancepeak having a maximum absorbance value between about 555 nm and about580 nm can be created using two dyes having absorbance peaks withmaximum absorbance values at about 556 nm and 574 nm. While each dye canindividually produce an absorbance peak having a FWHM value of less thanabout 30 nm, when the dyes are used together in an optical filter, theabsorbance peaks can combine to form a single absorbance peak with abandwidth of about 45 nm or greater than or equal to about 40 nm.

Static filter component 116 incorporating organic dyes can be fabricatedusing any suitable technique. In some embodiments, a sufficient quantityof one or more organic dyes is used to provide absorbance peaks havingmaximum absorbance values at one or more wavelengths selected toincrease or decrease chroma in one or more chroma enhancement windows.Selected organic dyes can be loaded (or mixed) in an amount of a solvent(e.g. 1 lb of polycarbonate resin or 5 lbs of polycarbonate resin) toachieve an absorbance spectrum including absorbance peaks having maximumabsorbance values at one or more wavelengths. The amount of each of theselected organic dye is based on the desired optical density (OD) at thewavelengths of the absorbance peak produced by each of the selectedorganic dyes. Different compositions of chroma enhancement dyes thatprovide chroma enhancement are described in U.S. Publication No.2013/0141693 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.The polycarbonate resin including the selected organic dyes can be usedto manufacture the body of the lens 102 or a component that is attachedto the body of the lens 102. Different methods of fabricating opticalfilters that provide chroma enhancement are described in U.S.Publication No. 2013/0141693 which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

In various embodiments, the static filter 116 can include dyes or othermaterials that are selected or configured to increase the photostabilityof the chroma enhancing filter and other lens components. Any techniqueknown in the art can be used to mitigate degradation of filter materialsand/or other lens components. The relative quantities of any dyeformulations disclosed herein can be adjusted to achieve a desiredobjective, such as, for example, a desired overall lens color, achroma-enhancing filter having particular properties, another objective,or a combination of objectives.

Lens with One or More Optical Filters with Variable OpticalCharacteristics

In various implementations, the lens 102 can comprise one or moreoptical filters with variable optical characteristics (also referred toas variable optical filters) that can be switched between two or morestates in response to an electrical stimulus and/or an optical stimulus.In some implementations, the optical characteristics of the variableoptical filters can be controlled by an input provided by the user, asignal provided by a sensor and/or a signal provided by an electronichardware processor. The one or more variable optical filters cancomprise one or more layers comprising electrochromic materials,photochromic materials, solid particles, nano particles, liquid crystalsor polymers. For example, the one or more variable optical filters cancomprise one or more layers of electrochromic materials comprisingtransition metal oxide, such as, for example, WO₃, NiO_(x), V₂O₅. Asanother example, the one or more variable optical filters can compriseone or more layers of electrochromic materials comprising complex ioniccompounds, such as, for example, Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃. As yet another example,the one or more variable optical filters can comprise one or more layerscomprising one or more electrochromic polymers. The one or moreelectrochromic polymers can be configured to selectively attenuatecertain wavelengths of light in response to an electrical voltage orcurrent. Accordingly, in some implementations, the lens 102 comprisingthe one or more electrochromic polymers may be configured to switch froma clear appearance to a colored (e.g., blue, violet, purple, gray,brown, green, orange, pink, red, or any combination of these colors)appearance in response to an electrical voltage or current.

The lens 102 comprising the one or more variable optical filters cancomprise various electrochromic materials (e.g., electrochromicpolymers, transition metal oxides, complex ionic compounds, etc.) thatcan be controlled to provide one or more absorptance or absorbance peakshaving a maximum absorptance or absorbance. The one or more absorptanceor absorbance peaks can have a center wavelength located at a midpointof the spectral bandwidth of a respective one of the one or moreabsorptance or absorbance peaks. The spectral bandwidth of a respectiveone of the one or more absorptance or absorbance peaks can be equal tothe full width of the respective one of the absorptance or absorbancepeak at 90% of the maximum, 80% of the maximum, 75% of the maximum, 60%of the maximum, or 50% of the maximum. The spectral bandwidth of arespective one of the one or more absorptance or absorbance peaks can beless than or equal to about 30 nm. For example, the spectral bandwidthof a respective one of the one or more absorptance or absorbance peakscan be greater than or equal to about 5 nm and less than or equal toabout 30 nm, greater than or equal to about 8 nm and less than or equalto about 25 nm, greater than or equal to about 10 nm and less than orequal to about 20 nm, greater than or equal to about 12 nm and less thanor equal to about 18 nm, or any value in the ranges/sub-ranges definedby these values. The one or more absorptance or absorbance peaks cancomprise an attenuation factor that is obtained by dividing anintegrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth of theabsorptance or absorbance peak by the spectral bandwidth of theabsorptance or absorbance peak. The attenuation factor of the one ormore absorptance or absorbance peaks can be between about 0.8 and 1.0.

The lens 102 comprising the one or more variable optical filters can becontrolled to switch between two or more states. In some or all of thetwo or more states, the lens 102 can be configured such that the maximumabsorptance or absorbance of the one or more absorptance or absorbancepeaks is located in one or more chroma enhancement windows. The one ormore chroma enhancement windows can include a first spectral range ofabout 440 nm to about 510 nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm toabout 600 nm, a third spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, afourth spectral range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, a fifth spectralrange of about 490 nm to about 510 nm, a sixth spectral range of about540 nm to about 570 nm, a seventh spectral range of about 580 nm andabout 600 nm, an eighth spectral range of about 572 nm and about 576 nmor any combination of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth spectral ranges. In some embodiments, the value ofthe maximum absorptance within one or more chroma enhancement windows isgreater than or equal to about 70%, greater than or equal to about 80%,greater than or equal to about 90%, greater than or equal to about 95%,and/or less than or equal to 100%. In some embodiments, the value of themaximum absorbance (or maximum optical density) within one or morechroma enhancement windows is greater than or equal to about 0.5,greater than or equal to about 1, greater than or equal to about 1.5,greater than or equal to about 2.0, greater than or equal to about 2.5,greater than or equal to about 3.0, greater than or equal to about 3.5,greater than or equal to about 4.0, greater than or equal to about 4.5,greater than or equal to about 5.0 and/or less than or equal to about10. The change in the value of the maximum absorptance in one or morechroma enhancement windows when switching from one state to another canbe greater than or equal to about 5%, greater than or equal to about10%, greater than or equal to about 15%, greater than or equal to about20%, greater than or equal to about 25%, greater than or equal to about30%, greater than or equal to about 40%, and/or less than or equal toabout 80%, and/or less than or equal to about 90%. The change in thevalue of the maximum absorbance in one or more chroma enhancementwindows when switching from one state to another can be greater than orequal to about 0.1, greater than or equal to about 0.5, greater than orequal to about 1.0, greater than or equal to about 2.0, greater than orequal to about 3.0, greater than or equal to about 3.5, greater than orequal to about 4.0, and/or less than or equal to about 7.0, and/or lessthan or equal to about 10.

In some or all of the two or more states, the lens 102 comprising theone or more variable optical filters can be configured such that thecenter wavelength of a respective one of the one or more absorptance orabsorbance peaks is located in any of the chroma enhancement windowsincluding but not limited to a first spectral range of about 440 nm toabout 510 nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm to about 600 nm, athird spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, a fourth spectralrange of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, a fifth spectral range of about490 nm to about 510 nm, a sixth spectral range of about 540 nm to about570 nm, a seventh spectral range of about 580 nm and about 600 nm, aneighth spectral range of about 572 nm to 576 nm, or any combination ofthe first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighthspectral ranges. The change in the location of the center wavelength ofthe one or more absorptance/absorbance peaks in one or more chromaenhancement windows when switching from one state to another can begreater than or equal to about 5 nm, greater than or equal to about 10nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, and/or less than or equal toabout 20 nm, and/or less than or equal to about 30 nm.

In some or all of the two or more states, the lens 102 comprising theone or more variable optical filters can have a luminous transmittancebetween about 8% and about 88%. For example, the lens 102 can have aluminous transmittance greater than or equal to about 8% and less thanor equal to about 88%, greater than or equal to about 10% and less thanor equal to about 85%, greater than or equal to about 15% and less thanor equal to about 80%, greater than or equal to about 20% and less thanor equal to about 75%, greater than or equal to about 25% and less thanor equal to about 70%, greater than or equal to about 30% and less thanor equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 40% and less thanor equal to about 50%, or any value in the ranges/sub-ranges defined bythese values. The change in the value of the luminous transmittance whenswitching from one state to another can be greater than or equal toabout 5%, greater than or equal to about 10%, greater than or equal toabout 15%, greater than or equal to about 20%, greater than or equal toabout 30%, greater than or equal to about 40%, greater than or equal toabout 50%, greater than or equal to about 60%, greater than or equal toabout 100%, greater than or equal to about 500%, and/or less than orequal to about 1000%, and/or less than or equal to about 10000%.

In some or all of the two or more states, the lens 102 comprising theone or more variable optical filters can have an average visible lighttransmittance between about 8% and about 88%. For example, the lens 102can have an average visible light transmittance greater than or equal toabout 8% and less than or equal to about 88%, greater than or equal toabout 10% and less than or equal to about 85%, greater than or equal toabout 15% and less than or equal to about 80%, greater than or equal toabout 20% and less than or equal to about 75%, greater than or equal toabout 25% and less than or equal to about 70%, greater than or equal toabout 30% and less than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal toabout 40% and less than or equal to about 50%, or any value in theranges/sub-ranges defined by these values. The change in the value ofthe average visible light transmittance when switching from one state toanother can be greater than or equal to about 5%, greater than or equalto about 10%, greater than or equal to about 15%, greater than or equalto about 20%, greater than or equal to about 30%, greater than or equalto about 40%, greater than or equal to about 50%, greater than or equalto about 60%, greater than or equal to about 100%, greater than or equalto about 500%, and/or less than or equal to about 1000%, and/or lessthan or equal to about 10000%.

In some or all of the two or more states, the CIE chromaticity x-valueof the lens 102 comprising the one or more variable optical filters canbe greater than 0 and less than 0.8 and/or the CIE chromaticity y-valueof the lens can be greater than 0 and less than 0.9. For example, theCIE chromaticity x-value of the lens in some or all of the two or morestates can be greater than or equal to about 0.05 and less than or equalto about 0.75, greater than or equal to about 0.1 and less than or equalto about 0.7, greater than or equal to about 0.15 and less than or equalto about 0.65, greater than or equal to about 0.2 and less than or equalto about 0.6, greater than or equal to about 0.25 and less than or equalto about 0.55, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less than or equalto about 0.5, greater than or equal to about 0.35 and less than or equalto about 0.45, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less than or equalto about 0.35, greater than or equal to about 0.3 and less than or equalto about 0.34, greater than or equal to about 0.35 and less than orequal to about 0.5, or any value in the ranges/sub-ranges defined bythese values.

As another example, the CIE chromaticity y-value of the lens 102comprising the one or more variable optical filters in some or all ofthe two or more states can be greater than or equal to about 0.05 andless than or equal to about 0.83, greater than or equal to about 0.1 andless than or equal to about 0.8, greater than or equal to about 0.15 andless than or equal to about 0.75, greater than or equal to about 0.2 andless than or equal to about 0.7, greater than or equal to about 0.25 andless than or equal to about 0.65, greater than or equal to about 0.3 andless than or equal to about 0.6, greater than or equal to about 0.35 andless than or equal to about 0.55, greater than or equal to about 0.4 andless than or equal to about 0.5, greater than or equal to about 0.15 andless than or equal to about 0.3, greater than or equal to about 0.35 andless than or equal to about 0.65, or any value in the ranges/sub-rangesdefined by these values. The change in the CIE chromaticity x-value ory-value when switching from one state to another can be greater than orequal to about 0.05, greater than or equal to about 0.1, greater than orequal to about 0.15, greater than or equal to about 0.2, greater than orequal to about 0.25, greater than or equal to about 0.3, greater than orequal to about 0.35, greater than or equal to about 0.4, greater than orequal to about 0.45, greater than or equal to about 0.5, greater than orequal to about 0.55, and/or less than or equal to about 0.7, and/or lessthan or equal to about 0.8, and/or less than or equal to about 0.9.

In some or all of the two or more states, the lens 102 comprising theone or more variable optical filters can be configured to provide anincrease or decrease in average chroma value of light transmittedthrough the lens within one or more chroma enhancement windows. The oneor more chroma enhancement windows can include a first spectral range ofabout 440 nm to about 510 nm, a second spectral range of about 540 nm toabout 600 nm, a third spectral range of about 630 nm to about 660 nm, afourth spectral range of about 440 nm to about 480 nm, a fifth spectralrange of about 490 nm to about 510 nm, a sixth spectral range of about540 nm to about 570 nm, a seventh spectral range of about 580 nm andabout 600 nm or any combination of the first, second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth and seventh spectral ranges.

For example, in some or all of the two or more states, the lens 102comprising the one or more variable optical filters can be configuredincrease chroma value of light transmitted through the lens within oneor more chroma enhancement windows by about 2% or more as compared to aneutral density filter. The average increase in chroma value of lighttransmitted through the lens within one or more chroma enhancementwindows can be about 3% or more, 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more or20% or more as compared to a neutral density filter.

Optical Filter Systems with Variable Optical Characteristics ProvidingChroma Enhancement

In certain embodiments, lens 102 comprising an optical filter systemincluding the variable filter component 114 and the static filtercomponent 116 or one or more variable optical filters can providevariable attenuation and chroma enhancement in one or more chromaenhancement windows (CEWs) corresponding to a specific activity and/orambient light condition. The variable attenuation and chroma enhancementcan be controlled based on an input received from a user, a sensorand/or a signal from a control circuit. For example, the lens 102 can beconfigured to provide controllable variable transmittance (e.g.,variable luminous transmittance) and chroma enhancement for sports suchas baseball, tennis, badminton, basketball, racquetball, handball,archery, target shooting, trap shooting, cricket, lacrosse, football,ice hockey, field hockey, hunting, soccer, squash, skiing, snowboarding,golf, cycling, trail running, or volleyball based on an input receivedfrom a user, a sensor and/or a signal from a control circuit. Forvarious sports, such a filter can include an object chroma enhancementwindow selected to increase the chroma of natural reflected light orwavelength-converted light produced by a fluorescent agent in abaseball, tennis ball, badminton birdie, or volleyball or light that ispreferentially reflected by these objects.

For various activities, background windows and spectral-width windowscan be provided so that backgrounds are apparent, scenes appear natural,and the wearer's focus and depth perception are improved. For sportsplayed on various surfaces, or in different settings such as tennis orvolleyball, different background windows can be provided for play ondifferent surfaces. For example, tennis is commonly played on grasscourts or clay courts, and filters can be configured for each surface,if desired. As another example, ice hockey can be played on an icesurface that is provided with a wavelength-conversion agent or colorant,and lenses can be configured for viewing a hockey puck with respect tosuch ice. Outdoor volleyball benefits from accurate viewing of avolleyball against a blue sky, and the background filter can be selectedto permit accurate background viewing while enhancing chroma in outdoorlighting. A different configuration can be provided for indoorvolleyball.

Eyewear that includes such optical filter systems can beactivity-specific, surface-specific, or setting-specific. Somerepresentative activities include dentistry, surgery, bird watching,fishing, or search and rescue operations. Such optical filter systemscan also be provided in additional configurations such as filters forstill and video cameras, or as viewing screens that are placed for theuse of spectators or other observers.

As an example, the optical filter system can include one or more chromaenhancement windows (CEWs) in a portion of the visible spectrum in whichan object of interest, such as, for example, a golf ball, emits orreflects a substantial spectral stimulus. When referring to the spectralstimulus of an object of interest, a corresponding CEW can be referredto as the object spectral window. When referring to spectral stimulus ofa background behind an object, a corresponding CEW can be referred to asthe background spectral window. Moreover, when referring to the spectralstimulus of the general surroundings, the spectral window can bereferred to as the surrounding spectral window. The optical filtersystem can be configured such that one or more edges of an absorbancepeak lie within at least one spectral window. In this way, an opticalfilter system can enhance chroma in the spectral ranges corresponding toa given spectral stimulus (e.g. object, background, or surroundings).

Green grass and vegetation typically provide a reflected or emittedspectral stimulus with a light intensity maximum at a wavelength ofabout 550 nm. Accordingly, wavelengths from about 500 nm to about 600 nmcan define a green or background spectral window. Providing an eyewearincluding a filter that enhances chroma in green light at wavelengthsbetween 500 nm and 600 nm to a golfer can make the background vivid andbright thereby allowing the golfer to accurately assess the backgroundsurfaces such as putting surfaces or other vegetation.

Similarly providing an eyewear including a filter that enhances chromain red and/or blue light can enhance the natural appearance of scenery(e.g., sky, vegetation), improved depth perception as well as improvedfocus.

Embodiments of optical filter system including a variable filtercomponent 114 and a static filter component 116 or the one or morevariable optical filters can also increase contrast between the objectand the background by providing chroma enhancement in one or both of theobject spectral window and the background spectral window. Colorcontrast improves when chroma is increased. For example, when a whitegolf ball is viewed against a background of green grass or foliage at adistance, chroma enhancement technology can cause the green visualstimulus to be more narrowband. A narrowed spectral stimulus causes thegreen background to appear less washed out, resulting in greater colorcontrast between the golf ball and the background.

Example Configurations of a Lens Having an Optical Filter SystemProviding Variable Optical Characteristics Example 1

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of lens 102 that can be included inthe eyewear 100. The eyewear can be of any type, includinggeneral-purpose eyewear, special-purpose eyewear, sunglasses, drivingglasses, sporting glasses, indoor eyewear, outdoor eyewear,vision-correcting eyewear, contrast-enhancing eyewear, eyewear designedfor another purpose, or eyewear designed for a combination of purposes.The lens 102 can be corrective lenses or non-corrective lenses. The lens102 includes a first component 204 spaced apart from a second component208 by spacers 206. A gap 210 is included between the first component204 and the second component 208.

The first component 204 includes a polycarbonate lens body. In someembodiments, the first component 204 can comprise a substrate layerincluding polycarbonate (PC), Nylon, Polyurethane, Polyethylene,Polyimide, PET, acrylic, MYLAR®, clear glass, doped glass or filteredglass. The thickness of the first component 204 can be between about0.02 inches and about 0.1 inches. The first component 204 has an innersurface facing the second component 208 and an outer surface oppositethe inner surface. The inner and outer surfaces of the first component204 can be planar or curved. The inner and/or outer surfaces of thefirst component 204 can be tinted. In some embodiments, the inner and/orouter surfaces of the first component 204 can be clear. In variousembodiments, the outer surface of the first component 204 can beconfigured to receive ambient incident light.

The second component 208 is an anti-fog lens. The anti-fog lens caninclude a substrate to which an anti-fog layer is applied. The thicknessof the second component 208 can be between about 0.02 inches and about0.1 inches. The second component 208 can be tinted. The second component208 has a first surface facing the first component 204 and a secondsurface opposite the first surface. The first and second surfaces of thesecond component 208 can be planar or concave. In various embodiments,incident ambient light can be transmitted out of the lens towards theeye through the second surface

The spacers 206 can comprise foam or any other suitable material suchas, for example, metal, polymer, PC, Nylon, Polyurethane, Polyethylene,Polyimide, PET, acrylic, or MYLAR®. In various embodiments, the spacers206 can include discrete structures that are disposed between the firstcomponent 204 and second component 208. In some embodiments, the spacers206 can be part of a unitary structure (e.g., a ring or a semicircularshaped structure). The spacers 206 can be attached to the firstcomponent 204 and the second component 208 by adhesives such as, forexample, thermal or UV cured adhesive or Pressure Sensitive Adhesive(PSA). In some embodiments, spacers 206 can be attached to the firstcomponent 204 and the second component 208 by electrostatic adhesion. Insome embodiments, spacers 206 can be attached to the first component 204and the second component 208 mechanically.

The gap 210 between the first component 204 and the second component 208can include air and/or other gasses. In some embodiments, the gap 210can include a suitable material that provides thermal insulation. Thegap 210 can have a thickness between about 0.001 inches and about 0.25inches. In some embodiments, the gap 210 has a thickness greater than orequal to 0.05 inches and/or less than or equal to 0.25 inches. Although,the illustrated implementation includes a gap 210, other implementationsof the gap 210 may be configured without the gap 210. In someembodiments, the gap 210 between the first component 204 and the secondcomponent 208 can include one or more functional layers 212 and 214 asshown in FIG. 2B. The one or more functional layers 212 and 214 caninclude Interference Stack, Flash Mirror, Photochromic Layer(s),Anti-Reflective, Anti-Static, Liquid Containing Layer(s), ElectrochromicLayer(s), Chroma Enhancement, Color Enhancement, Contrast Enhancement,Trichoic Filter, Glass Layer, Hybrid Glass-Plastic Layer.

In various embodiments, the first component 204 and/or the secondcomponent 208 can include one or more functional layers 212 and 214 suchas, for example, Interference Stack, Flash Mirror, PhotochromicLayer(s), Anti-Reflective, Anti-Static, Liquid Containing Layer(s),Electrochromic Layer(s), Chroma Enhancement, Color Enhancement, ContrastEnhancement, Trichoic Filter, Glass Layer, Hybrid Glass-Plastic Layer.The one or more functional layers can also be applied to one of thesurfaces of the first component 204 and/or the second component 208.

In various embodiments, the first component 204 and/or the secondcomponent 208 can include a violet edge filter that absorbs wavelengthless than 390 nm and transmits wavelengths between 390 nm and 800 nm. Invarious embodiments, the first component 204 and/or the second component208 can also include an UV light absorbing filter.

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a ski goggle250 including an embodiment of a lens 102. The lens 102 can extend inthe path of a wearer's left and right eye fields of vision. In variousembodiments, the curvature of the lens 102 can allow it to conformclosely from side to side to the wearer's face, thus maximizing theinterception of sun and other strong light sources, while at the sametime providing comfort and pleasing aesthetic characteristics.

The lens 102 can be of a single pane of material. Thus, the lens 102 canbe unitary or have a dual lens design. A nosepiece opening can be formedalong the lower edge of a frame 254, which can be sized and configuredto accommodate the nose of a wearer. Furthermore, the lower edge of theframe 254 can also be shaped to substantially conform to the wearer'sfacial profile, thus allowing some embodiments to be closely fitted tothe wearer's head while not contacting the skin of the wearer's face andother embodiments to contact the wearer's face at multiple points tocreate an enclosure. The goggles 250 can include a strap 256 that can beconfigured to substantially secure the goggles 250 in a fixed locationrelative to the wearer's face and/or create an effective seal againstthe wearer's face to impede or prevent the entrance of water, snow,dirt, or other particulates into the enclosed area.

The goggles 250 can include a power source 105, such as a battery, anelectrical contact, and a conductor that conveys a voltage to the lens102, a control logic connected to one or more sensors for automaticadjustment of the variable filter components of the lens 102, a userinterface element 107 integrated and/or a sensor 109 including a controlcircuit that can provide a signal to control the variable filtercomponents of the lens 102.

Example 2

The embodiment of the lens 102 illustrated in FIG. 3A has the samegeneral structure as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A includes a first functional layer 304and a second functional layer 306 disposed on the first surface of thesecond lens component 208. In various embodiments, the first and thesecond functional layer 304 and 306 can be attached on the first surfaceof the second lens component 208 using one or more adhesive layers 308.In various embodiments, the adhesive layer 308 can include opticallyclear adhesives. The first and second functional layers 304 and 306 canhave a thickness between about 0.002 inches and about 0.01 inch. Thefirst functional layer 304 can include a variable attenuation filter.For example, the functional layer 304 can include a photochromicmaterial, an electrochromic material or a combination of photochromicand electrochromic material. The second functional layer 306 can includea static filter that enhances chroma. For example, the functional layer306 can include an absorber that has an absorbance peak in at least oneof a first spectral range between 390 nm and about 480 nm, a secondspectral range between about 500 nm and about 580 nm and a thirdspectral range between about 590 nm and about 700 nm. In variousembodiments, the functional layer 306 can comprise an organic dye, arare-earth oxide or other material that can absorb light having awavelength in at least one of the first, second and third spectralranges. In various embodiments, the functional layers 304 and/or 306 cancomprise variable optical filters. For example, the functional layer 304and/or 306 can comprise a variable optical filter comprising one or moreelectrochromic or photochromic materials that can provide one or moreabsorbance peaks in at least one of a first spectral range between 390nm and about 480 nm, a second spectral range between about 500 nm andabout 580 nm and a third spectral range between about 590 nm and about700 nm. In some implementations, the optical characteristics of thefunctional layers 304 and/or 306 comprising the one or more variableoptical characteristics can be changed by an electrical stimulus, anoptical stimulus, a user input, a signal from a sensor or a signal froman electronic hardware processor. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.3A, the first lens component 208 can be optically clear. The first lenscomponent 208 can have anti-fog functionality.

Example 3

The embodiment of the lens 102 illustrated in FIG. 3B has the samegeneral structure as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A except thatthe first and second functional layers 304 and 306 are attached to theinner surface of the first lens component 204 using adhesive layers 308.In other embodiments, the first and second functional layers 304 and 306can be attached to the outer surface of the first lens component 204. Invarious embodiments, the first lens component 204 can include anabsorber that can absorb light having a wavelength in at least one ofthe first, second and third spectral ranges provided above. In suchembodiments, the first lens component 204 incorporates the functionallayer 306. In some embodiments, the first lens component 204 cancomprise one or more optical filters with variable opticalcharacteristics (e.g., the functional layer 306 can comprise one or morevariable optical filters). In such embodiments, various opticalcharacteristics of the first lens component 204 including luminoustransmittance, chromaticity, absorbance and/or absorptance profile canbe changed in response to an electrical stimulus, an optical stimulus, auser input, a signal from a sensor or a signal from an electronichardware processor. Accordingly, a separate functional layer 306 may notbe included in such embodiments.

Example 4

The embodiment of the lens 102 illustrated in FIG. 3C has the samegeneral structure as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C multiple functional layers 310 areattached to the first surface of the second lens component 208 usingadhesive layers 308. The functional layer 310 can include a variablefilter that also functions as a chroma enhancing filter. Thus, thefunctional layer 310 can vary the amount of light transmitted throughthe functional layer 310 as well as vary the spectral characteristic ofthe transmitted light in at least one of the first, second and thirdspectral ranges discussed above. The functional layer 310 can includeelectrochromic material, photochromic material, an organic dye having anabsorbance peak in at least one of the first, second and third spectralranges discussed above and/or a rare-earth oxide having an absorbancepeak in at least one of the first, second and third spectral rangesdiscussed above. In some implementations, the functional layer 310 cancomprise polymers (e.g., electrochromic polymers), electroactivematerials, photochromic materials, etc. which can be configured toprovide variable absorbance/absorptance characteristics in response toan electrical stimulus, an optical stimulus, a user input, a signal froma sensor or a signal from an electronic hardware processor. For example,the functional layer 310 may be configured to provide a firstabsorbance/absorptance profile having an absorbance peak in at least oneof the first, second and third spectral ranges discussed above in afirst state and a second absorbance/absorptance profile having anabsorbance peak in at least one of the first, second and third spectralranges discussed above in a second state. The functional layer 310 maybe configured to switch between the first and the second state inresponse to an electrical stimulus, an optical stimulus, a user input, asignal from a sensor or a signal from an electronic hardware processor.

Example 5

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a functional element 400 that can beattached to the lens 102. The functional element 400 can be attached tothe lens 102 by lamination. The functional element 400 can include oneor more functional layers that can provide variable attenuation tocontrol the amount of light transmitted through the element and vary thespectral profile of the transmitted light to provide chroma enhancement.The element 400 includes a plurality of functional layers 304, 404 and406 sandwiched between two substrate layers 406. The substrate layers406 can comprise PC, Nylon, Polyurethane, Polyethylene, Polyimide, PET,acrylic, MYLAR®, clear glass, doped glass and/or filtered glass. Theplurality of functional layers 304, 404 and 406 can be attached to thesubstrate layer 406 using adhesive layers 308. The adhesive layers 308can be optically clear adhesives.

The plurality of functional layers can include a variable filter 304including an electrochromic material, static filter layers 406 that areconfigured to absorb light in at least one of the first, second or thirdspectral ranges discussed above to provide chroma enhancement andtransparent conducting oxide layers 404. The static filter can compriseorganic dyes or rare-earth oxides that are configured to absorb light inat least one of the first, second or third spectral ranges discussedabove. The transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layers 404 can includeindium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO) or othertransparent conducting materials. The variable filter 304 including theelectrochromic material is sandwiched between the TCO layers 404. TheTCO layers 404 can be electrically connected to a power source such as,for example, a battery. Accordingly, the variable filter 304 can beconfigured to switch between a first filter state having a firstluminous transmittance and a second filter state having a secondluminous transmittance upon application of an electrical signal from thepower source to the TCO layers 404. In some implementations, thevariable filter 304 may be configured to absorb light in at least one ofthe first, second or third spectral ranges discussed above to providechroma enhancement. In such implementations, the variable filter 304 maybe configured to vary the colorfulness (e.g., chroma or contrast) of ascene between the first and the second states. The variation of thecolorfulness may be accomplished in addition to or instead of thevariation in luminous transmittance.

Optical Characteristics of Embodiments of Lens Having an Optical FilterSystem with Variable Optical Characteristics

Eyewear (e.g., sunglasses and/or goggles) including an optical filtersystem that provides variable attenuation can be provided for differentsporting activities such as baseball, tennis, badminton, basketball,racquetball, handball, archery, target shooting, trap shooting, cricket,lacrosse, football, ice hockey, field hockey, hunting, soccer, squash,sailing, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, trail running or volleyballand/or non-sporting activities such as driving or other dailyactivities. Such embodiments, can allow the sportsperson or the user tocontrol the visual environment viewable through eyewear. Consider thesport of skiing where conditions can change quickly on the ski slopes. Apart of the ski slope may be bright and sunny while another part of theski slope may be less sunny. Thus, it would be advantageous if a skieris able to control the amount of light transmitted through his/her skigoggles quickly while skiing. Additionally, it would be advantageous ifthe eyewear including the optical filter system also provided chromaenhancement. The optical filter system configured to provide chromaenhancement (CE) can be configured to absorb different wavelengths inthe visible spectral range (e.g., between about 390 nm and about 850 nm)by different amounts in order to enhance the color quality of the visualenvironment viewable through eyewear and to allow the sportsperson toengage in the sporting activity to the best of his/her ability. Forexample, it would increase a skier's skiing experience if the CEproviding optical filter system were configured to make the slope andother objects on the slope stand out from the background. As anotherexample, including an optical filter system that can also enhance chromain the eyewear can make a tennis ball or a baseball stand out againstthe grass thus improving the player's ability to spot the ball. Anoptical filter system that can also enhance chroma can be provided sothat backgrounds are apparent, scenes appear natural, and the wearer'sfocus and depth perception are improved. Accordingly, eyewear includingan optical filter system that can provide variable attenuation filterand/or chroma enhancement can be advantageous for various sportingactivities and for activities other than sports in which it is desirableto identify, locate, or track an object against backgrounds associatedwith the activity such as, for example, dentistry, surgery, birdwatching, fishing, or search and rescue operations. Optical filtersystems that provide variable attenuation and chroma enhancement canalso be provided in additional configurations such as filters for stilland video cameras, or as viewing screens that are placed for the use ofspectators or other observers. Optical filter systems that providevariable attenuation and chroma enhancement can be provided as lenses,unitary lenses, or as face shields. For example, an optical filter thatprovides variable attenuation and chroma enhancement for hockey can beincluded in a face shield. As another example, an optical filter havingvariable optical characteristics can be included in any headworn support(i.e., a headworn article that can support one or more lenses in thewearer's field of view). For example, other headworn supports caninclude, but are not limited to, helmets, face masks, balaclavas, andbreaching shields.

Optical characteristics (e.g., transmission profile, absorbance profile,chroma profile, chromaticity, etc.) of various embodiments of lensesincluding one or more optical filter systems that provide variableattenuation and chroma enhancement for certain example activities aredescribed below with references to FIGS. 5A-13G and 14A-17C. Variousembodiments of lenses configured to provide variable attenuation andchroma enhancement can comprise one or more optical filter systemscomprising one or more controllable optical filters and one or moreoptical filters that are not controlled as described above. Variousembodiments of lenses configured to provide variable attenuation andchroma enhancement can comprise one or more optical filter systemscomprising one or more controllable optical filters alone. The one ormore optical filter systems can be configured to be switched between twoor more switchable states. At least one of a luminous transmittance, achromaticity, an attenuation of one or more visible wavelengths, orchroma of a scene viewed through the lens can be different between thetwo or more switchable states. The various embodiments of lensesincluding one or more optical filter systems that provide variableattenuation and chroma enhancement can be similar to the embodimentsdisclosed above with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A-3C, and/or 4. Anystructure, material, component, assembly, or step, illustrated and/ordescribed with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A-3C, and/or 4 can be used withany of the filters described with reference to FIGS. 5A-13G and 14A-17C.The one or more optical filter systems having variable attenuation andchroma enhancement can include chroma enhancement dyes, color enhancingchromophores, chromophores that have electrochromic and/or photochromicproperties, electrochromic materials, photochromic materials, etc. asdescribed in detail in this application. In various embodiments, the oneor more filters can include IRIDIUM® coatings. The example lensembodiments disclosed herein suitable for use in other applications thanthose indicated when such applications involve environments with similarcolors of interest. The embodiments of the one or more filters for thesports activities are examples, and it is understood that other suitablefilters can be used for the exemplary activities described herein.

Various examples of the one or more filters for different sportingactivities provided below are described as comprising one or more CEfilters and/or one or more variable attenuation filters. However, it isappreciated that the various absorptance, absorbance or transmittancespectra, chromaticity or other optical characteristics of thefilters/lenses described below can be achieved by embodiments of thevariable CE filters that can be user controllable, sensor controllableor controllable by a signal from an electronic hardware processor.Variable CE filters can be configured to be switched between two or morestates in response to an electrical stimulus, an optical stimulus, aninput from a user (e.g., touch or voice), a sensor and/or an electronichardware processor. For example, the variable CE filters can beconfigured to switch between the first filter state (e.g., dark state)and the second filter state (e.g., faded state) as discussed herein. Asanother example, the variable CE filters can be configured to switchbetween a first state having a first luminous transmittance and a secondstate having a second luminous transmittance. As yet another example,the variable CE filters can be configured to switch between a firststate having a first chromaticity and a second state having a secondchromaticity. As another example, the variable CE filters can beconfigured to switch between a first state having a first spectralabsorptance or absorbance profile and a second state having a secondspectral absorptance or absorbance profile. As another example, thevariable CE filters can be configured to switch between a first statehaving a first relative chroma value and a second state having a secondrelative chroma value. The variable CE filters can comprise one or moreelectrochromic materials (e.g., electrochromic polymers).

Example Embodiment 1—Golf

Various embodiments of lenses used for golf preferably reduce glare(e.g., glare resulting from sunlight on a bright sunny day). Reducingglare can advantageously increase the ability of seeing the fairway, thehole and the ball thus allowing a golfer to play to the best of his/herability. Accordingly, various embodiments of lenses used for golf caninclude coatings, layers or films that reduce glare. The glare reducingcoatings, layers or films can include polarizing films and/or coatingsto filter out polarized light, holographic or diffractive elements thatare configured to reduce glare and/or diffusing elements. Additionally,it would be advantageous for various embodiments of lenses used for golfto include filters that make trees, sky and other objects (e.g., flags,water features, tree roots, etc.) stand out from the green grass to aidthe golfer to guide the golf ball to a desired location. Making trees,sky and other objects stand out from the green grass can also enhance aplayers golfing experience. Various embodiments of lenses suitable forgolfing can include one or more CE filters that transmit differentcolors in the visible spectral range with different values to createdifferent viewing conditions. For example, some embodiments of lensesfor golfing can transmit all colors of the visible spectrum such thatthere is little distortion on bright sunny days. As another example,some embodiments of lenses for golfing can transmit colors in the yellowand red spectral ranges and attenuate and/or absorb colors in the blueand green spectral ranges. Various embodiments of lenses used forgolfing can also be tinted (e.g., grey, green, amber, brown or yellow)to increase contrast between the grass and the sky, reduce eye strainand/or for aesthetic purpose.

In addition to one or more CE filters, various embodiments of lensessuitable for golfing can include one or more variable attenuationfilters that can be switched between a first filter state and a secondfilter state based on an input signal from the golfer. The input signalcan be an electrical pulse, an electrical voltage, an electrical currentor exposure to a radiation. In various embodiments, the variableattenuation filters can be configured to switch between a first filterstate and a second filter state transmit when exposed to anelectromagnetic radiation. The variable attenuation filter can beconfigured to maintain the filter state without requiring a supply ofenergy. In various embodiments, the variable attenuation filters can beconfigured to toggle between a first state and a second state based onan input from the golfer.

FIG. 5A illustrates the transmittance profile of an optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for golf. Thelens can have general structures and features similar to embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 5B illustrates anabsorbance profile of the same optical filter. The optical filter isconfigured to provide variable attenuation as well as chromaenhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the optical filter canbe configured to switch between a first state (dark state) and a secondstate (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in the first stateand the second state. In FIG. 5A, the transmittance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the dark state is represented by the curve504 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of the filter in thefaded state is represented by the curve 506. Without any loss ofgenerality, in various embodiments of the lens, the percentage of lighttransmitted in the faded and the dark state at different wavelengths canhave values other than those depicted in transmittance and absorbanceprofiles depicted in FIGS. 5A-13G and 14A-17C. For example, referring toFIG. 5A, the percentage of light transmitted in the faded and the darkstate at different wavelengths can be in the region 505 between curves504 and 506. Accordingly, any offset between the two filter states(e.g., faded state and the dark state) is within the scope of thedisclosure. The transmittance profile through the one or more filters inthe dark state and the faded state has one or more “notches”. Thepresence of the notches in the transmittance profile creates distinct“pass-bands”. Wavelengths in each of the distinct pass-bands aretransmitted with lower attenuation than wavelengths in the notches. Thenotches in the transmittance profile are depicted as “peaks” in thecorresponding absorbance profile depicted in FIG. 5B and the pass-bandsin the transmittance profile are depicted as “valleys” in thecorresponding absorbance profile depicted in FIG. 5B. Without any lossof generality, a valley includes a region of the absorbance spectrumbetween two consecutive peaks. Without any loss of generality, a valleycan be characterized by a full width at 10% of the average opticaldensity between two consecutive peaks above the base line. The opticalfilter includes an edge filter (e.g., a violet edge filter) having anoptical density of at least 1.0 for wavelengths less than 400 nm. Invarious embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highoptical density value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowoptical density value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. Invarious embodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the valueof the optical density drops sharply from a high value to a low value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 5B, the absorbance profileof the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is represented by thecurve 508 and the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter inthe faded state is represented by the curve 510.

Referring to FIG. 5B, it is observed from curve 508 that the absorbanceprofile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak having a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peak having amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. It is noted from curve 508that the first peak has a full width at 80% maximum absorbance value(FW80M) of about 15-25 nm and a full width at 60% maximum absorbancevalue (FW60M) of about 30-40 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about10-15 nm a FW60M of about 20-30 nm. The absorbance profile in the fadedstate and the dark state indicates a sharp increase in the opticaldensity (or absorbance value) at wavelengths less than about 410 nmconsistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 508 that the absorbance profile in thedark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about 410 nmand about 460 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range between about500 nm and about 560 nm; and a third valley in the wavelength rangebetween about 590 nm and about 660 nm. Wavelengths in the first valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of the first peakabsorbance value. Wavelengths in the second valley have an averageabsorbance value that is about 50% of the maximum absorbance value ofthe first peak and about 60% of maximum absorbance value of the secondpeak. Wavelengths in the third valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 40%-50% of the maximum absorbance value of the secondpeak.

Referring to FIG. 5B, it is observed from curve 510 that the absorbanceprofile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak having a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peak having amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. The absorbance values for thefirst and second absorbance peaks in the faded state is lower than thepeak absorbance values for the first and second absorbance peaks in thedark state indicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths inthe first and second peaks in the faded state is higher than thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the first and second peaks inthe dark state. From curve 510 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 15-25 nm and a FW60M of about 25-35 nm. The second peakhas a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 20-25 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 410 nm and about 460 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 490 nm and about 570 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 650nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 40% of the first peak absorbance value. Wavelengths in thesecond valley have an average absorbance value that is about 40% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak and about 40% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the third valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 20%-30% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak. The absorbance values forwavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the faded state islower than the absorbance values for wavelengths in the first, secondand third valleys in the dark state indicating that the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in thefaded state is higher than the transmittance of light for wavelengths inthe first, second and third valleys in the dark state.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 504 in FIG. 5A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 12% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about460 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 10% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 500 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configuredto transmit between about 1% and about 20% of the light in theorange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nm and about 650nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 506 inFIG. 5A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about 1%and about 30% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 410 nm and about 470 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 25% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 500 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 5% and about 50% ofthe light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nmand about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state. Theamount of light transmitted in the faded state and the dark state can becharacterized using luminous transmittance that is measured with respectto a suitable illuminant, such as, for example, CIE standard illuminantD65. The luminous transmittance can be determined according to atechnique defined in section 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specificationfor nonprescription sunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. Theluminous transmittance for the embodiment of the lens having thetransmittance profile depicted in FIG. 5A, is about 21.7% in the fadedstate (represented by curve 506) and is about 8.6% in the dark state(represented by curve 504). In other embodiments, the luminoustransmittance in the dark state can be less than about 30%, such as, forexample, between about 5% and about 30%, between about 10% and about25%, or between about 15% and about 20%. In various embodiments, theluminous transmittance in the faded state can be greater than about 15%,such as, for example, between about 20% and about 80%, between about 25%and about 75%, between about 30% and about 70%, between about 35% andabout 65%, between about 40% and about 60%, between about 45% and about55%, between about 50% and about 55% or greater than 80%.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens including theoptical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 5B. Thechromaticity diagram shows the chromaticity of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter (represented by ‘X’marks) as well as the gamut of a color space. The chromaticity iscalculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE 1964 10°Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for a standardobserver. FIG. 5C shows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v* color space. The CIEuv chromaticity diagram expresseschromaticity in terms of hue and chroma for a certain value oflightness. In the CIE L*u*v* chromaticity diagram the axis extendingfrom the origin to the right horizontally is the ‘red’ direction, theaxis extending from the origin to the left horizontally is the ‘green’direction, the axis extending from the origin vertically upwards in theplane of the paper is the ‘yellow’ direction, and the axis extendingfrom the origin vertically downwards in the plane of the paper is the‘blue’ direction. FIG. 5C expresses chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter in terms ofhue (v*) and chroma (u*) for a lightness (L*) value of 0. Referring toFIG. 5C, the chromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of thelens including the optical filter has a chroma value of 17.3 and a huevalue of 11.8 in the faded state and can appear as reddish grey to anobserver. The chromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment ofthe lens including the optical filter has a chroma value of 14.95 and ahue value of 5.66 in the dark state and can appear as a neutral grey toan observer. FIG. 5D shows the chromaticity diagram of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter in theCIE xyY color space. The CIE xy chromaticity diagram expresseschromaticity in terms of tri-stimulus values x and y. The chromaticityof the optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including theoptical filter has a CIE x value of 0.386 and a CIE y value of 0.344 inthe faded state. The chromaticity of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a CIE x value of0.381 and a CIE y value of 0.330 in the dark state. Although, in theillustrated embodiment, a distance between the chromaticity values inthe faded and the dark state is small such that the optical filter orthe lens including the optical filter appears to have similar color inthe faded and the dark state, in other embodiments, a distance betweenthe chromaticity values in the faded and the dark state can be largesuch the optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appearsto have dissimilar color in the faded and the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 5E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 5A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 5B. The variable attenuation filter component can include a cellincluding an electro-chromic material similar to the cell disclosed inInternational Publication No. WO 2011/127015 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Curve 512 depicts the transmittanceprofile of the variable attenuation filter component in the dark stateand curve 514 depicts the absorbance profile of the variable attenuationfilter component in the faded state. As noted from curve 512, thevariable attenuation filter component has a transmittance between about20% and about 30% for all wavelengths in the spectral range betweenabout 400 nm and 650 nm in the dark state. As noted from curve 514, thevariable attenuation filter component has a transmittance between about40% and about 70% for all wavelengths in the spectral range betweenabout 400 nm and 650 nm in the faded state. It is further observed fromcurves 512 and 514 that the difference between the transmittance throughthe variable attenuation filter component between about 450 nm and about600 nm in dark state and the faded state is approximately the same.Thus, the variable attenuation filter component can be considered tofunction as a neutral density filter for wavelengths between about 450nm and about 600 nm.

FIG. 5F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 5A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG. 5B.The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 580 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 5F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 425 nm and the third pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 625 nm. It is noted from FIG. 5F that thesecond pass-band has a transmittance of about 40% between about 500 nmand 550 nm. Without any loss of generality, the transmittance profileillustrated in FIG. 5A is a sum of the transmittance profile of thevariable attenuation filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 5E and the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancing filtercomponent of the optical filter depicted in FIG. 5F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 11 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 20.08mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 15.64 mg of a third dye havingan absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g.EXCITON ABS 574), and 1.68 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659)incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 5G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 5B. Curve 516 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 518 is thecombined chroma profile of the variable filter component and the chromaenhancing filter component in the faded state. The chroma profileillustrated in FIGS. 5G, 6G, 7G, 8G, 9G, 10G, 11G, 12G, 13G, 14C, 15C,16C and 17C is the chroma value perceived by the human visual system(HVS) when a uniform intensity stimulus having a bandwidth of 30 nmcentered at a wavelength (λ_(center)) in the range between 350 nm and700 nm is filtered by various embodiments of an optical filter includinga variable filter component and a chroma enhancing filter componentrelative to the chroma value perceived by the HVS when the stimulus isfiltered by a filter having a flat filter profile that uniformlyattenuates all wavelengths in the range between 350 nm and 700 nm.

Curves 516 and 518 indicate that the optical filter having an absorbanceprofile as shown in FIG. 5B provides an increase in chroma in a firstspectral window between 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral windowbetween 550 nm and 600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and660 nm as compared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 5G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 2—Golf

FIG. 6A illustrates the transmittance profile of another optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for golf. Thelens can have general structures and features similar to embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 6B illustrates anabsorbance profile of the same optical filter. The optical filter isconfigured to provide variable attenuation as well as chromaenhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the optical filter canbe configured to switch between a first state (dark state) and a secondstate (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in the first stateand the second state. The optical filter includes an edge filter (e.g.,a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths less than about 410 nmand transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a high absorbancevalue at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a low absorbance valueat wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In various embodiments, theedge filter is configured such that the absorbance drops sharply from ahigh absorbance value to a low absorbance value at one or morewavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 6A, the transmittance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the dark state is represented by the curve604 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of the filter in thefaded state is represented by the curve 606. In FIG. 6B, the absorbanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 608 and the absorbance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 610.

Referring to FIG. 6B, it is observed from curve 608 that the absorbanceprofile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. It is noted from curve 608that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-20 nm and a FW60M of about25-30 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M ofabout 20-30 nm. The absorbance profile in the faded state and the darkstate indicates a sharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths lessthan about 410 nm consistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 608 that the absorbance profile in thedark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about 440 nmand about 460 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range between about490 nm and about 560 nm; and a third valley in the wavelength rangebetween about 590 nm and about 650 nm. Wavelengths in the first valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the second valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 40% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak and about 40% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the third valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak.

Referring to FIG. 6B, it is observed from curve 610 that the absorbanceprofile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. The maximum absorbance valuefor the second absorbance peak in the faded state is lower than themaximum absorbance value for the second absorbance peak in the darkstate indicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths in thesecond absorbance peak in the faded state is higher than thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the second absorbance peak inthe dark state. From curve 610 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 15-20 nm and a FW60M of about 25-30 nm. The second peakhas a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 15-20 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 430 nm and about 460 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 560 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 650nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 50% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 30% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak and about40% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths inthe third valley have an average absorbance value that is about 25%-30%of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak. The absorbancevalues for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in thefaded state is lower than the absorbance values for wavelengths in thefirst, second and third valleys in the dark state indicating that thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second and thirdvalleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance of light forwavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the dark state.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 604 in FIG. 6A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 12% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 420 nm and about470 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 25% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configuredto transmit between about 1% and about 15% of the light in theorange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nm and about 650nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 606 inFIG. 6A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about 1%and about 15% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 410 nm and about 470 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 30% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 5% and about 60% ofthe light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nmand about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state. Asdiscussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded state andthe dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittance that ismeasured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, for example,CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined in section5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescription sunglassand fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittance for theembodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depicted in FIG.6A, is about 29.5% in the faded state (represented by curve 606) and isabout 14.2% in the dark state (represented by curve 604). In otherembodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state can be lessthan about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about 30%,between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about 20%. Invarious embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the faded state canbe greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about 20% andabout 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30% and about70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% and about 60%,between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about 55% orgreater than 80%.

FIGS. 6C and 6D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens including theoptical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6Cshows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or the embodimentof the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v* color spacecalculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE 1964 10°Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for a standardobserver. Referring to FIG. 6C, the chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of 11.8 and a hue value of 37.0 in the faded state and can appearorange to an observer. The chromaticity of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chroma valueof 18.66 and a hue value of 17.52 in the dark state and can appeargreenish to an observer. FIG. 6D shows the chromaticity diagram of theoptical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 6D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.429 and a CIE yvalue of 0.408 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.319 and a CIE y value of 0.421 in the dark state.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, a distance between thechromaticity values in the faded and the dark state is large such thatthe optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appears tohave dissimilar color in the faded and the dark state, in otherembodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in the faded andthe dark state can be small such the optical filter or the lensincluding the optical filter appears to have similar color in the fadedand the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 6E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 6A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 6B. The variable attenuation filter component can include aswitching material similar to the material disclosed in U.S. PublicationNo. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Curve 612 depicts the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the dark state and curve 614 depicts theabsorbance profile of the variable attenuation filter component in thefaded state. As noted from curve 612, the variable attenuation filtercomponent has a maximum transmittance at about 500 nm and a reducedtransmittance (corresponding to a dip) at about 650 nm. Thetransmittance value is about 60% for wavelengths around 500 nm. Thetransmittance profile has a FW80M of about 80 nm and a FW60M of about120 nm around the wavelength of about 500 nm. The transmittance value isabout 20% for wavelengths around 650 nm. Wavelengths in the rangebetween about 580 nm and about 690 nm have a transmittance value ofabout 30%. Accordingly, in the dark state, the variable attenuationfilter component is configured to transmit wavelengths between about 450nm and about 560 nm (blue-green spectral region) with a highertransmittance as compared to wavelengths between about 560 nm and about690 nm (yellow-red spectral region).

As noted from curve 614, the variable attenuation filter component has atransmittance between about 70% and about 80% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 490 nm and 700 nm in the faded state and atransmittance between about 10% and about 70% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 410 nm and 490 nm in the faded state. It isfurther observed from curves 612 and 614 that the difference between thetransmittance through the variable attenuation filter component betweenabout 410 nm and about 600 nm and about 660 nm and about 700 nm in darkstate and the faded state varies.

FIG. 6F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 6A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG. 6B.The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 580 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 6F that the first pass-band hasmaximum transmittance at about 425 nm and the third pass-band hasmaximum transmittance at about 625 nm. It is noted from FIG. 6F that thesecond pass-band has a transmittance of about 40% between about 500 nmand 550 nm. Without any loss of generality, the transmittance profileillustrated in FIG. 6A is a sum of the transmittance profile of thevariable attenuation filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 6E and the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancing filtercomponent of the optical filter depicted in FIG. 6F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 11 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 20.08mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 15.64 mg of a third dye havingan absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g.EXCITON ABS 574), and 1.68 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659)incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 6G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 6B. Curve 616 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 618 is thecombined chroma profile of the variable filter component and the chromaenhancing filter component in the faded state. Curves 616 and 618indicate that the optical filter having an absorbance profile as shownin FIG. 6B provides an increase in chroma in a first spectral windowbetween 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral window between 550 nm and600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and 660 nm as comparedto a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 6G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 3—Golf

FIG. 7A illustrates the transmittance profile of another optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for golf. Thelens can have general structures and features similar to embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 7B illustrates anabsorbance profile of the same optical filter. The optical filter isconfigured to provide variable attenuation as well as chromaenhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the optical filter canbe configured to switch between a first state (dark state) and a secondstate (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in the first stateand the second state. The optical filter includes an edge filter (e.g.,a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths less than about 410 nmand transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a high absorbancevalue at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a low absorbance valueat wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In various embodiments, theedge filter is configured such that the absorbance drops sharply from ahigh absorbance value to a low absorbance value at one or morewavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 7A, the transmittance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the dark state is represented by the curve704 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of the filter in thefaded state is represented by the curve 706. In FIG. 7B, the absorbanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 708 and the absorbance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 710.

Referring to FIG. 7B, it is observed from curve 708 that the absorbanceprofile in the dark state has an absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 575 nm. The absorbance peak has a FW80M ofabout 10-15 nm. The absorbance profile in the faded state and the darkstate indicates a sharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths lessthan about 410 nm consistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 708 that the absorbance profile in thedark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about 450 nmand about 550 nm and a second valley in the wavelength range betweenabout 590 nm and about 700 nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have anaverage absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of the maximum absorbancevalue. Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 60%-80% of the maximum absorbance value.

Referring to FIG. 7B, it is observed from curve 710 that the absorbanceprofile in the faded state has an absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 575 nm. The maximum absorbance value in thefaded state is lower than the maximum absorbance value in the dark stateindicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths in theabsorbance peak in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the absorbance peak in the dark state. Fromcurve 710 it is observed that the absorbance peak has a FW80M of about10-15 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 490 nm and about 560 nm and a secondvalley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 700 nm.Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 50% of the maximum absorbance value. Wavelengths in the secondvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of themaximum absorbance value. The absorbance values for wavelengths in thefirst and second valleys in the faded state is lower than the absorbancevalues for wavelengths in the first and second valleys in the dark stateindicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths in the firstand second valleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittanceof light for wavelengths in the first and second valleys in the darkstate.

The transmittance profile in the dark state represented by curve 704 inFIG. 7A shows that the transmittance in the dark state varies betweenabout 1% and about 42% for wavelengths in the range between about 410 nmand about 700 nm. Wavelengths in the range between 480 nm and 550 nm aretransmitted with higher transmittance (e.g., greater than 30%) ascompared to wavelengths between 410 and 480 and between 570 and 650 nm.

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 706 inFIG. 7A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about 30%and about 53% of light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 480 nm and about 570 nm) and a second pass-band configuredto transmit between about 50% and about 70% of the light in theorange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nm and about 660nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured to transmit morelight in the faded state than in the dark state. As discussed above, theamount of light transmitted in the faded state and the dark state can becharacterized using luminous transmittance that is measured with respectto a suitable illuminant, such as, for example, CIE standard illuminantD65 according to a technique defined in section 5.6.1 of the ANSIZ80.3-2009 specification for nonprescription sunglass and fashioneyewear requirements. The luminous transmittance for the embodiment ofthe lens having the transmittance profile depicted in FIG. 7A, is about49.2% in the faded state (represented by curve 706) and is about 25.1%in the dark state (represented by curve 704). In other embodiments, theluminous transmittance in the dark state can be less than about 30%,such as, for example, between about 5% and about 30%, between about 10%and about 25%, or between about 15% and about 20%. In variousembodiments, the luminous transmittance in the faded state can begreater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about 20% andabout 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30% and about70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% and about 60%,between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about 55% orgreater than 80%.

FIGS. 7C and 7D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens including theoptical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7Cshows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or the embodimentof the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v* color spacecalculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE 1964 10°Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for a standardobserver. Referring to FIG. 7C, the chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of −1.7 and a hue value of 30.2 in the faded state and can appeargreenish yellow to an observer. The chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of −30.99 and a hue value of 8.59 in the dark state and can appeargreen to an observer. FIG. 7D shows the chromaticity diagram of theoptical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 7D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.374 and a CIE yvalue of 0.400 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.271 and a CIE y value of 0.39 in the dark state. Invarious embodiments a distance between the chromaticity values in thefaded and the dark state can be large such that the optical filter orthe lens including the optical filter appears to have dissimilar colorin the faded and the dark state or small such the optical filter or thelens including the optical filter appears to have similar color in thefaded and the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 7E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 6A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 7B. The variable attenuation filter component can include aswitching material similar to the material disclosed in U.S. PublicationNo. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Curve 712 depicts the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the dark state and curve 714 depicts theabsorbance profile of the variable attenuation filter component in thefaded state. As noted from curve 712, the variable attenuation filtercomponent has a maximum transmittance at about 500 nm and a reducedtransmittance at about 650 nm. The transmittance value is about 60% forwavelengths around 500 nm. The transmittance profile has a FW80M ofabout 80 nm and a FW60M of about 120 nm around 500 nm. The transmittancevalue is about 20% for wavelengths around 650 nm. Wavelengths in therange between about 580 nm and about 690 nm have a transmittance valueof about 30%. Accordingly, in the dark state, the variable attenuationfilter component is configured to transmit wavelengths between about 450nm and about 560 nm (blue-green spectral region) with a highertransmittance as compared to wavelengths between about 560 nm and about690 nm (yellow-red spectral region).

As noted from curve 714, the variable attenuation filter component has atransmittance between about 70% and about 80% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 490 nm and 700 nm in the faded state and atransmittance between about 10% and about 70% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 410 nm and 490 nm in the faded state. It isfurther observed from curves 712 and 714 that the difference between thetransmittance through the variable attenuation filter component betweenabout 410 nm and about 600 nm and about 660 nm and about 700 nm in darkstate and the faded state varies.

FIG. 7F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 7A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG. 7B.The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 590 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 7F that the first pass-band has atransmittance between about 50% and about 78% in the wavelength rangebetween about 415 nm and about 465 nm; a second pass-band has atransmittance between about 50% and about 70% in the wavelength rangebetween about 485 nm and about 565 nm; and the third pass-band has atransmittance between about 60% and about 85% in the wavelength rangebetween about 590 nm and about 660 nm. Without any loss of generality,the transmittance profile illustrated in FIG. 7A is a sum of thetransmittance profile of the variable attenuation filter component ofthe optical filter depicted in FIG. 7E and the transmittance profile ofthe chroma enhancing filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 7F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 3 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 6 mgof a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 7 mg of a third dye having anabsorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g. EXCITONABS 574), and 1.0 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659) incorporatedin 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 7G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 7B. Curve 716 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 718 is thecombined chroma profile of the variable filter component and the chromaenhancing filter component in the faded state. Curves 716 and 718indicate that the optical filter having an absorbance profile as shownin FIG. 7B provides an increase in chroma in a first spectral windowbetween 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral window between 550 nm and600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and 660 nm as comparedto a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 7G that the chroma profile in the faded state isdifferent from the chroma profile in the dark state indicating thattoggling the optical filter between the dark state and the faded statealter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 4—Baseball Outfield

Various embodiments of lenses used for baseball preferably allow theball player to spot the baseball in different lighting conditions (e.g.,bright lighting on sunny days, diffused lighting on cloudy days, spotlighting and flood lighting for playing at night, etc.). It would alsobe advantageous to include filters that made the baseball stand outagainst the sky and the field in various embodiments of the lenses usedfor baseball. Additionally, various embodiments of the lenses used forbaseball can include coatings, layers or films that reduce glare (e.g.,glare resulting from sunlight on bright sunny days or spot lights andflood light in the night). The coatings, layers or films that reduceglare can include polarizing films and/or coatings to filter outpolarized light, holographic or diffractive elements that are configuredto reduce glare and/or diffusing elements. Various embodiments of lensessuitable for baseball can include one or more filters that transmitdifferent colors in the visible spectral range with different values tocreate different viewing conditions. For example, some embodiments oflenses for baseball can transmit all colors of the visible spectrum suchthat there is little distortion on bright sunny days. As anotherexample, some embodiments of lenses for baseball can transmit colors inthe yellow and red spectral ranges and attenuate and/or absorb colors inthe blue and green spectral ranges such that the baseball can stand outagainst the blue sky or the green grass. Various embodiments of lensesused for baseball can also be tinted (e.g., grey, green, amber, brown oryellow) to increase visibility of baseball against the sky or the grass,reduce eye strain and/or for aesthetic purpose.

In addition to one or more CE filters, various embodiments of lensessuitable for golfing can include one or more variable attenuationfilters that can be switched between a first filter state and a secondfilter state based on an input signal from the baseball player. Theinput signal can be an electrical pulse, an electrical voltage, anelectrical current or exposure to a radiation. In various embodiments,the variable attenuation filters can be configured to switch between afirst filter state and a second filter state transmit when exposed to anelectromagnetic radiation. The variable attenuation filter can beconfigured to maintain the filter state without requiring a supply ofenergy. In various embodiments, the variable attenuation filters can beconfigured to toggle between a first state and a second state based onan input from the baseball player.

FIG. 8A illustrates the transmittance profile of an optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for players inthe outfield. The lens can have general structures and features similarto embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 8Billustrates an absorbance profile of the same optical filter. Theoptical filter is configured to provide variable attenuation as well aschroma enhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the opticalfilter can be configured to switch between a first state (dark state)and a second state (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in thefirst state and the second state. The optical filter includes an edgefilter (e.g., a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths less thanabout 410 nm and transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. Invarious embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highabsorbance value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowabsorbance value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the absorbancedrops sharply from a high absorbance value to a low absorbance value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 8A, the transmittanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 804 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 806. In FIG. 8B,the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark stateis represented by the curve 808 and the absorbance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by the curve810.

Referring to FIG. 8B, it is observed from curve 808 that the absorbanceprofile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. It is noted from curve808 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 18-25 nm and a FW60M ofabout 25-35 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a fullwidth at 70% maximum absorbance value (FW70M) of about 15-20 nm. Thethird peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 15-20 nm.The absorbance profile in the faded state and the dark state indicates asharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths less than about 410 nmconsistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 808 that the absorbance profile in thedark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about 410 nmand about 450 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range between about500 nm and about 550 nm; and a third valley in the wavelength rangebetween about 590 nm and about 650 nm. Wavelengths in the first valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the second valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak and about 60%-70% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the third valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak and about 30%-40% of the maximumabsorbance value of the third peak.

Referring to FIG. 8B, it is observed from curve 810 that the absorbanceprofile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the first, second and third absorbance peaks in the fadedstate is lower than the maximum absorbance value for the first, secondand third absorbance peaks in the dark state indicating that thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second and thirdabsorbance peaks in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third absorbance peaks inthe dark state. From curve 810 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 15-20 nm and a FW60M of about 25-30 nm. The second peakhas a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 15-20 nm. The thirdpeak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 15-20 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 410 nm and about 450 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 560 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 650nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 30%-40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 30%-40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak andabout 50%-60% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak.Wavelengths in the third valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 40%-50% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak andabout 20%-30% of the maximum absorbance value of the third peak. Theabsorbance values for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleysin the faded state is lower than the absorbance values for wavelengthsin the first, second and third valleys in the dark state indicating thatthe transmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second andthird valleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the darkstate.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 804 in FIG. 8A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 10% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about460 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 5% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 490 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 10% of the light in the orange-redspectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nm and about 650 nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 806 inFIG. 8A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about 1%and about 23% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 410 nm and about 460 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 10% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 5% and about 25% ofthe light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nmand about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state. Asdiscussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded state andthe dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittance that ismeasured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, for example,CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined in section5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescription sunglassand fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittance for theembodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depicted in FIG.8A, is about 9.3% in the faded state (represented by curve 806) and isabout 3.7% in the dark state (represented by curve 804). In otherembodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state can be lessthan about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about 30%,between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about 20%. Invarious embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the faded state canbe greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about 20% andabout 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30% and about70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% and about 60%,between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about 55% orgreater than 80%.

FIGS. 8C and 8D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens including theoptical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8Cshows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or the embodimentof the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v* color spacecalculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE 1964 10°Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for a standardobserver. Referring to FIG. 8C, the chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of 18.6 and a hue value of −0.6 in the faded state and can appeargreyish purple to an observer. The chromaticity of the optical filter orthe embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of 15.5 and a hue value of −3.1 in the dark state and can appearbluish grey to an observer. FIG. 8D shows the chromaticity diagram ofthe optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 8D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.365 and a CIE yvalue of 0.303 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.357 and a CIE y value of 0.288 in the dark state.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, a distance between thechromaticity values in the faded and the dark state is small such thatthe optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appears tohave similar color in the faded and the dark state, in otherembodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in the faded andthe dark state can be large such the optical filter or the lensincluding the optical filter appears to have dissimilar color in thefaded and the dark state

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the chromaticity can dependon the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter.Accordingly, the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of theoptical filter can be adjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. Inother embodiments, the lens including the optical filter may be providedwith various tints to change the overall chromaticity of the lens foraesthetic or other purposes.

FIG. 8E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 8A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 8B. The variable attenuation filter component can include a cellincluding an electro-chromic material similar to the cell disclosed inInternational Publication No. WO 2011/127015 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Curve 812 depicts the transmittanceprofile of the variable attenuation filter component in the dark stateand curve 814 depicts the absorbance profile of the variable attenuationfilter component in the faded state. As noted from curve 812, thevariable attenuation filter component has a transmittance between about20% and about 30% for all wavelengths in the spectral range betweenabout 400 nm and 650 nm in the dark state. As noted from curve 814, thevariable attenuation filter component has a transmittance between about40% and about 70% for all wavelengths in the spectral range betweenabout 400 nm and 650 nm in the faded state. It is further observed fromcurves 812 and 814 that the difference between the transmittance throughthe variable attenuation filter component between about 450 nm and about600 nm in dark state and the faded state is approximately the same.Thus, the variable attenuation filter component can be considered tofunction as a neutral density filter for wavelengths between about 450nm and about 600 nm.

FIG. 8F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 8A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG. 8B.The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 580 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 8F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 425 nm and third pass-band has a maximumtransmittance at about 625 nm. It is noted from FIG. 8F that the secondpass-band has a transmittance of about 40% between about 500 nm and 550nm. Without any loss of generality, the transmittance profileillustrated in FIG. 8A is a sum of the transmittance profile of thevariable attenuation filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 8E and the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancing filtercomponent of the optical filter depicted in FIG. 8F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 15 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 64.6mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 17.32 mg of a third dye havingan absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g.EXCITON ABS 574), and 18.92 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659)incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 8G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 8B. Curve 816 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 818 is thecombined chroma profile of the variable filter component and the chromaenhancing filter component in the faded state.

Curves 816 and 818 indicate that the optical filter having an absorbanceprofile as shown in FIG. 8B provides an increase in chroma in a firstspectral window between 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral windowbetween 550 nm and 600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and660 nm as compared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 8G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 5—Baseball Outfield

FIG. 9A illustrates the transmittance profile of another optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for baseballplayers in the outfield. The lens can have general structures andfeatures similar to embodiments described above with reference to FIGS.2-4. FIG. 9B illustrates an absorbance profile of the same opticalfilter. The optical filter is configured to provide variable attenuationas well as chroma enhancement. For example, in various embodiments, theoptical filter can be configured to switch between a first state (darkstate) and a second state (faded state) and provide chroma enhancementin the first state and the second state. The optical filter includes anedge filter (e.g., a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths lessthan about 410 nm and transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm.In various embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highabsorbance value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowabsorbance value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the absorbancedrops sharply from a high absorbance value to a low absorbance value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 9A, the transmittanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 904 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 906. In FIG. 9B,the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark stateis represented by the curve 908 and the absorbance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by the curve910.

Referring to FIG. 9B, it is observed from curve 908 that the absorbanceprofile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. It is noted from curve908 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-20 nm and a FW60M ofabout 25-30 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and aFW70M of about 18-25 nm. The third peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nmand a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 20-25 nm. Theabsorbance profile in the faded state and the dark state indicates asharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths less than about 410 nmconsistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 908 that the absorbance profile in thedark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about 430 nmand about 460 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range between about500 nm and about 560 nm; and a third valley in the wavelength rangebetween about 590 nm and about 650 nm. Wavelengths in the first valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the second valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak and about 40%-50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the third valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 20%-30% of the maximumabsorbance value of the second peak and about 10%-20% of the maximumabsorbance value of the third peak.

Referring to FIG. 9B, it is observed from curve 910 that the absorbanceprofile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third peak with a maximumabsorbance value absorbance value at 660 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the second and third absorbance peaks in the faded state islower than the maximum absorbance value for the second and thirdabsorbance peaks in the dark state indicating that the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the second and third absorbance peaks in thefaded state is higher than the transmittance of light for wavelengths inthe second and third absorbance peaks in the dark state. From curve 910it is observed that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-20 nm and aFW60M of about 25-30 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nmand a FW60M of about 15-20 nm. The third peak has a FW80M of about 10-15nm and a FWHM of about 15-20 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 420 nm and about 450 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 560 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 650nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak and about50% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths inthe third valley have an average absorbance value that is about 40% ofthe maximum absorbance value of the second peak and about 20%-30% of themaximum absorbance value of the third peak. The absorbance values forwavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the faded state islower than the absorbance values for wavelengths in the first, secondand third valleys in the dark state indicating that the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in thefaded state is higher than the transmittance of light for wavelengths inthe first, second and third valleys in the dark state.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 904 in FIG. 9A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 8% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about470 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 10% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configuredto transmit between about 1% and about 9% of the light in the orange-redspectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nm and about 650 nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 906 inFIG. 9A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about 1%and about 10% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 410 nm and about 470 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 15% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 5% and about 35% ofthe light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580 nmand about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state.

As discussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded stateand the dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittancethat is measured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, forexample, CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined insection 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescriptionsunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittancefor the embodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depictedin FIG. 9A, is about 12.7% in the faded state (represented by curve 906)and is about 6.0% in the dark state (represented by curve 904). In otherembodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state can be lessthan about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about 30%,between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about 20%. Invarious embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the faded state canbe greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about 20% andabout 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30% and about70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% and about 60%,between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about 55% orgreater than 80%.

FIGS. 9C and 9D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens including theoptical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9Cshows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or the embodimentof the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v* color spacecalculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE 1964 10°Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for a standardobserver. Referring to FIG. 9C, the chromaticity of the optical filteror the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chromavalue of 12.4 and a hue value of 22.4 in the faded state and can appearorange to an observer. The chromaticity of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter has a chroma valueof −9.2 and a hue value of 8.66 in the dark state and can appeargreenish blue to an observer. FIG. 9D shows the chromaticity diagram ofthe optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 9D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.423 and a CIE yvalue of 0.385 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.318 and a CIE y value of 0.389 in the dark state.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, a distance between thechromaticity values in the faded and the dark state is large such thatthe optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appears tohave dissimilar color in the faded and the dark state, in otherembodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in the faded andthe dark state can be small such the optical filter or the lensincluding the optical filter appears to have similar color in the fadedand the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 9E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 9A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 9B. The variable attenuation filter component can include aswitching material similar to the material disclosed in U.S. PublicationNo. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Curve 912 depicts the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the dark state and curve 914 depicts theabsorbance profile of the variable attenuation filter component in thefaded state. As noted from curve 912, the variable attenuation filtercomponent has a maximum transmittance at about 500 nm and a reducedtransmittance at about 650 nm. The transmittance value is about 60% forwavelengths around 500 nm. The transmittance profile has a FW80M ofabout 80 nm and a FW60M of about 120 nm around 500 nm. The transmittancevalue is about 20% for wavelengths around 650 nm. Wavelengths in therange between about 580 nm and about 690 nm have a transmittance valueof about 30%. Accordingly, in the dark state, the variable attenuationfilter component is configured to transmit wavelengths between about 450nm and about 560 nm (blue-green spectral region) with a highertransmittance as compared to wavelengths between about 560 nm and about690 nm (yellow-red spectral region).

As noted from curve 914, the variable attenuation filter component has atransmittance between about 70% and about 80% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 490 nm and 700 nm in the faded state and atransmittance between about 10% and about 70% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 410 nm and 490 nm in the faded state. It isfurther observed from curves 912 and 914 that the difference between thetransmittance through the variable attenuation filter component betweenabout 410 nm and about 600 nm and about 660 nm and about 700 nm in darkstate and the faded state varies.

FIG. 9F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 9A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG. 9B.The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 580 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 9F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 425 nm and third pass-band has a maximumtransmittance at about 625 nm. It is noted from FIG. 9F that the secondpass-band has a transmittance of about 40% between about 500 nm and 550nm. Without any loss of generality, the transmittance profileillustrated in FIG. 9A is a sum of the transmittance profile of thevariable attenuation filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 9E and the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancing filtercomponent of the optical filter depicted in FIG. 9F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 15 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 64.6mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 17.32 mg of a third dye havingan absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g.EXCITON ABS 574), and 18.92 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659)incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 9G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 9B. Curve 916 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 918 is thecombined chroma profile of the variable filter component and the chromaenhancing filter component in the faded state. Curves 916 and 918indicate that the optical filter having an absorbance profile as shownin FIG. 9B provides an increase in chroma in a first spectral windowbetween 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral window between 550 nm and600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and 660 nm as comparedto a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 9G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 6—Baseball Infield

FIG. 10A illustrates the transmittance profile of an optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for players inthe infield. The lens can have general structures and features similarto embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 10Billustrates an absorbance profile of the same optical filter. Theoptical filter is configured to provide variable attenuation as well aschroma enhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the opticalfilter can be configured to switch between a first state (dark state)and a second state (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in thefirst state and the second state. The optical filter includes an edgefilter (e.g., a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths less thanabout 410 nm and transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. Invarious embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highabsorbance value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowabsorbance value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the absorbancedrops sharply from a high absorbance value to a low absorbance value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 10A, the transmittanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 1004 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 1006. In FIG. 10B,the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark stateis represented by the curve 1008 and the absorbance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by the curve1010.

Referring to FIG. 10B, it is observed from curve 1008 that theabsorbance profile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak witha maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. It is noted from curve908 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FW60M ofabout 18-25 nm. The second peak has a full width at 90% maximumabsorbance value (FW90M) of about 10-15 nm. The third peak has a FW80Mof about 10-15 nm and a FW60M of about 15-25 nm. The absorbance profilein the faded state and the dark state indicates a sharp increase in theabsorbance at wavelengths less than about 410 nm consistent with thepresence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 1008 that the absorbance profile inthe dark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about410 nm and about 450 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range betweenabout 500 nm and about 550 nm; and a third valley in the wavelengthrange between about 590 nm and about 640 nm. Wavelengths in the firstvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 30%-40% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the secondvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 30%-40% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak and about 70%-80% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the thirdvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 60%-70% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak and about 20%-30% of themaximum absorbance value of the third peak.

Referring to FIG. 10B, it is observed from curve 1010 that theabsorbance profile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm, a second absorbance peak witha maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm and a third absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the first, second and third absorbance peaks in the fadedstate is lower than the maximum absorbance value for the first, secondand third absorbance peaks in the dark state indicating that thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second and thirdabsorbance peaks in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third absorbance peaks inthe dark state. From curve 1010 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 12-18 nm and a FW60M of about 20-25 nm. The second peakhas a FW90M of about 10-15 nm. The third peak has a FW80M of about 10-15nm and a FW60M of about 18-25 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 410 nm and about 450 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 570 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 640nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 20%-30% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 20%-30% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak andabout 70%-80% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak.Wavelengths in the third valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 50%-60% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak andabout 15%-25% of the maximum absorbance value of the third peak. Theabsorbance values for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleysin the faded state is lower than the absorbance values for wavelengthsin the first, second and third valleys in the dark state indicating thatthe transmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second andthird valleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the darkstate.

Comparing the absorbance profile of the optical filter configured foruse by players in the infield shown in FIG. 10B with optical filtersconfigured for use by players in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B,it is noted that the optical filter configured for use by players in theinfield shown in FIG. 10B has: (i) a lower absorbance for wavelengths ina bandwidth around 575 nm as compared to absorbance of optical filtersconfigured for use by players in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B;and (ii) a higher absorbance for wavelengths in a bandwidth around 475nm as compared to absorbance of optical filters configured for use byplayers in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 1004 in FIG. 10A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 10% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about460 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 8% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 490 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configured totransmit between about 5% and about 10% of the light in the orange-redspectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nm and about 650 nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 1006in FIG. 10A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about1% and about 20% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 410 nm and about 460 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 18% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 10% and about 22%of the light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580nm and about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state.

As discussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded stateand the dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittancethat is measured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, forexample, CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined insection 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescriptionsunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittancefor the embodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depictedin FIG. 10A, is about 12.4% in the faded state (represented by curve1006) and is about 4.9% in the dark state (represented by curve 1004).In other embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state canbe less than about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about30%, between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about20%. In various embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the fadedstate can be greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about20% and about 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30%and about 70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% andabout 60%, between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about55% or greater than 80%.

FIGS. 10C and 10D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens includingthe optical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 10B.FIG. 10C shows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v*color space calculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE1964 10° Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for astandard observer. Referring to FIG. 6C, the chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has achroma value of 2.3 and a hue value of 16.2 in the faded state and canappear greenish grey to an observer. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has achroma value of 3.1 and a hue value of 9.38 in the dark state and canappear neutral grey to an observer. FIG. 10D shows the chromaticitydiagram of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lens includingthe optical filter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 10D,the chromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.375 and a CIE yvalue of 0.385 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.369 and a CIE y value of 0.370 in the dark state.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, a distance between thechromaticity values in the faded and the dark state is small such thatthe optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appears tohave similar color in the faded and the dark state, in otherembodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in the faded andthe dark state can be large such the optical filter or the lensincluding the optical filter appears to have dissimilar color in thefaded and the dark state

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the chromaticity can dependon the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter.Accordingly, the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of theoptical filter can be adjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. Inother embodiments, the lens including the optical filter may be providedwith various tints to change the overall chromaticity of the lens foraesthetic or other purposes.

FIG. 10E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 10A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 10B. The variable attenuation filter component can include acell including an electro-chromic material similar to the cell disclosedin International Publication No. WO 2011/127015 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Curve 1012 depicts the transmittanceprofile of the variable attenuation filter component in the dark stateand curve 1014 depicts the absorbance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the faded state. As noted from curve1012, the variable attenuation filter component has a transmittancebetween about 20% and about 30% for all wavelengths in the spectralrange between about 400 nm and 650 nm in the dark state. As noted fromcurve 1014, the variable attenuation filter component has atransmittance between about 40% and about 70% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 400 nm and 650 nm in the faded state. It isfurther observed from curves 1012 and 1014 that the difference betweenthe transmittance through the variable attenuation filter componentbetween about 450 nm and about 600 nm in dark state and the faded stateis approximately the same. Thus, the variable attenuation filtercomponent can be considered to function as a neutral density filter forwavelengths between about 450 nm and about 600 nm.

FIG. 10F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 10A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG.8B. The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) a firstpass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nm andabout 460 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 490 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 580 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 10F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 420 nm and the third pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 620 nm. It is noted from FIG. 10F thatthe second pass-band has a transmittance between about 20% and about 30%between about 500 nm and 560 nm. Without any loss of generality, thetransmittance profile illustrated in FIG. 10A is a sum of thetransmittance profile of the variable attenuation filter component ofthe optical filter depicted in FIG. 10E and the transmittance profile ofthe chroma enhancing filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 10F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 24 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 41.2mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 10 mg of a third dye having anabsorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g. EXCITONABS 574), and 19.2 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659) incorporatedin 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 10G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 10B. Curve 1016 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 1018 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the faded state.

Curves 1016 and 1018 indicate that the optical filter having anabsorbance profile as shown in FIG. 10B provides an increase in chromain a first spectral window between 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectralwindow between 550 nm and 600 nm and a third spectral window between 630nm and 660 nm as compared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 10G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 7—Baseball Infield

FIG. 11A illustrates the transmittance profile of another optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for baseballplayers in the infield. The lens can have general structures andfeatures similar to embodiments described above with reference to FIGS.2-4. FIG. 11B illustrates an absorbance profile of the same opticalfilter. The optical filter is configured to provide variable attenuationas well as chroma enhancement. For example, in various embodiments, theoptical filter can be configured to switch between a first state (darkstate) and a second state (faded state) and provide chroma enhancementin the first state and the second state. The optical filter includes anedge filter (e.g., a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths lessthan about 410 nm and transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm.In various embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highabsorbance value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowabsorbance value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the absorbancedrops sharply from a high absorbance value to a low absorbance value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 11A, the transmittanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 1104 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 1106. In FIG. 11B,the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark stateis represented by the curve 1108 and the absorbance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by the curve1110.

Referring to FIG. 11B, it is observed from curve 1108 that theabsorbance profile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. It is noted from curve1108 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 12-15 nm and a FW60M ofabout 20-30 nm. The second peak has a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FWHMof about 18-25 nm. The absorbance profile in the faded state and thedark state indicates a sharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengthsless than about 410 nm consistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 1108 that the absorbance profile inthe dark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about430 nm and about 450 nm and a second valley in the wavelength rangebetween about 490 nm and about 640 nm. Wavelengths in the first valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the second valleyhave an average absorbance value that is about 30%-40% of the maximumabsorbance value of the first and second peaks.

Referring to FIG. 11B, it is observed from curve 1110 that theabsorbance profile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 660 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the second absorbance peak in the faded state is lower thanthe maximum absorbance value for the second absorbance peak in the darkstate indicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths in thesecond absorbance peak in the faded state is higher than thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the second absorbance peak inthe dark state. From curve 1110 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 12-15 nm and a FW60M of about 20-30 nm. The second peakhas a FW80M of about 10-15 nm and a FWHM of about 18-25 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 410 nm and about 450 nm and a secondvalley in the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 650 nm.Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 30%-40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 20%-30% of the maximum absorbance value of the first and secondpeaks. The absorbance values for wavelengths in the first and secondvalleys in the faded state is lower than the absorbance values forwavelengths in the first and second valleys in the dark state indicatingthat the transmittance of light for wavelengths in the first and secondvalleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance of light forwavelengths in the first and second valleys in the dark state.

Comparing the absorbance profile of the optical filter configured foruse by players in the infield shown in FIG. 11B with optical filtersconfigured for use by players in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B,it is noted that the optical filter configured for use by players in theinfield shown in FIG. 11B has: (i) a lower absorbance for wavelengths ina bandwidth around 575 nm as compared to absorbance of optical filtersconfigured for use by players in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B;and (ii) a higher absorbance for wavelengths in a bandwidth around 475nm as compared to absorbance of optical filters configured for use byplayers in the outfield shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 1104 in FIG. 11A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 5% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about460 nm) and a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1%and about 15% of the light in the green-red spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 490 nm and about 650 nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 1106in FIG. 11A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about1% and about 8% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 410 nm and about 460 nm) and a second pass-band configuredto transmit between about 1% and about 30% of the light in the green-redspectral ranges (e.g., between about 490 nm and about 650 nm).Accordingly, the optical filter is configured to transmit more light inthe faded state than in the dark state.

As discussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded stateand the dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittancethat is measured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, forexample, CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined insection 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescriptionsunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittancefor the embodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depictedin FIG. 11A, is about 17.0% in the faded state (represented by curve1106) and is about 8.6% in the dark state (represented by curve 1104).In other embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state canbe less than about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about30%, between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about20%. In various embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the fadedstate can be greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about20% and about 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30%and about 70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% andabout 60%, between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about55% or greater than 80%.

FIGS. 11C and 11D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens includingthe optical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 11B.FIG. 11C shows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v*color space calculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE1964 10° Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for astandard observer. Referring to FIG. 11C, the chromaticity of theoptical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter has a chroma value of −4.0 and a hue value of 40.4 in the fadedstate and can appear yellowish green to an observer. The chromaticity ofthe optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter has a chroma value of −23.22 and a hue value of 25.97 in the darkstate and can appear green to an observer. FIG. 11D shows thechromaticity diagram of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring toFIG. 11D, the chromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment ofthe lens including the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.417 and aCIE y value of 0.460 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.330 and a CIE y value of 0.489 in the dark state.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, a distance between thechromaticity values in the faded and the dark state is large such thatthe optical filter or the lens including the optical filter appears tohave dissimilar color in the faded and the dark state, in otherembodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in the faded andthe dark state can be small such the optical filter or the lensincluding the optical filter appears to have similar color in the fadedand the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 11E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 11A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 11B. The variable attenuation filter component can include aswitching material similar to the material disclosed in U.S. PublicationNo. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Curve 1112 depicts the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the dark state and curve 1114 depictsthe absorbance profile of the variable attenuation filter component inthe faded state. As noted from curve 1112, the variable attenuationfilter component has a maximum transmittance at about 500 nm and areduced transmittance at about 650 nm. The transmittance value is about60% for wavelengths around 500 nm. The transmittance profile has a FW80Mof about 80 nm and a FW60M of about 120 nm around 500 nm. Thetransmittance value is about 20% for wavelengths around 650 nm.Wavelengths in the range between about 580 nm and about 690 nm have atransmittance value of about 30%. Accordingly, in the dark state, thevariable attenuation filter component is configured to transmitwavelengths between about 450 nm and about 560 nm (blue-green spectralregion) with a higher transmittance as compared to wavelengths betweenabout 560 nm and about 690 nm (yellow-red spectral region).

As noted from curve 1114, the variable attenuation filter component hasa transmittance between about 70% and about 80% for all wavelengths inthe spectral range between about 490 nm and 700 nm in the faded stateand a transmittance between about 10% and about 70% for all wavelengthsin the spectral range between about 410 nm and 490 nm in the fadedstate. It is further observed from curves 1112 and 1114 that thedifference between the transmittance through the variable attenuationfilter component between about 410 nm and about 600 nm and about 660 nmand about 700 nm in dark state and the faded state varies.

FIG. 11F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 11A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG.11B. The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) afirst pass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nmand about 460 nm; and (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellowspectral region between about 490 nm and about 650 nm. It is noted fromFIG. 11F that the first pass-band has a maximum transmittance at about420 nm. It is noted from FIG. 11F that the second pass-band has atransmittance of about 20%-30% between about 500 nm and 570 nm. It isfurther noted from FIG. 11F that the second pass-band has atransmittance of about 20%-38% between about 600 nm and 640 nm Withoutany loss of generality, the transmittance profile illustrated in FIG.11A is a sum of the transmittance profile of the variable attenuationfilter component of the optical filter depicted in FIG. 11E and thetransmittance profile of the chroma enhancing filter component of theoptical filter depicted in FIG. 11F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 24 mg of a first dye having an absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473), 41.2mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbancevalue at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515), 10 mg of a third dye having anabsorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at 574 nm (e.g. EXCITONABS 574), and 19.2 mg of a fourth dye having an absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at 659 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 659) incorporatedin 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 11G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 11B. Curve 1116 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 1118 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the faded state. Curves 1116 and1118 indicate that the optical filter having an absorbance profile asshown in FIG. 11B provides an increase in chroma in a first spectralwindow between 450 nm and 500 nm, a second spectral window between 550nm and 600 nm and a third spectral window between 630 nm and 660 nm ascompared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 11G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 8—Snow Activities

Various embodiments of lenses used for snow activities (e.g., skiing,snowboarding, sledding, etc.) preferably reduce glare (e.g., glareresulting from sunlight reflected from the snow). Reducing glare canadvantageously increase the ability of seeing objects on the surface ofthe slope and thereby allow a snow sportsman to perform to the best ofhis/her ability. Accordingly, various embodiments of lenses used forsnow sports can include coatings, layers or films that reduce glare. Theglare reducing coatings, layers or films can include polarizing filmsand/or coatings to filter out polarized light, holographic ordiffractive elements that are configured to reduce glare and/ordiffusing elements. Additionally, it would be advantageous for variousembodiments of lenses used for snow sports to include filters that maketrees, sky and other objects (e.g., stones, boulders, tree roots, etc.)stand out from the snow to enhance the experience of the snow sportsman.Making trees, sky and other objects (e.g., stones, boulders, tree roots,etc.) stand out from the snow can also allow the snow sportsman tosafely engage in the sporting activity of his/her choice. Additionally,since the lighting conditions can change on the slope, it would beadvantageous to tailor different embodiments of lenses for differentlighting conditions. For example, some embodiments of lenses for snowsports can be configured for viewing in bright light, such as on brightsunny days. As another example, some embodiments of lenses for snowsports can be configured for viewing in low light, such as on cloudydays. As yet another example, some embodiments of lenses for snow sportscan be configured for viewing in bright as well as low light. Variousembodiments of lenses suitable for snow sports can include one or morefilters that transmit different colors in the visible spectral rangewith different values to create different viewing conditions. Forexample, some embodiments of lenses for snow sports can transmit allcolors of the visible spectrum such that there is little distortion onbright sunny days. As another example, some embodiments of lenses forsnow sports can transmit colors in the yellow and red spectral rangesand attenuate and/or absorb colors in the blue and green spectralranges. Various embodiments of lenses used for snow sports can also betinted (e.g., grey, green, amber, brown or yellow) to increase contrastbetween the snow and the sky and/or trees, reduce eye strain and/or foraesthetic purpose.

In addition to one or more CE filters, various embodiments of lensessuitable for golfing can include one or more variable attenuationfilters that can be switched between a first filter state and a secondfilter state based on an input signal from the person engaged in thesnow activity. The input signal can be an electrical pulse, anelectrical voltage, an electrical current or exposure to a radiation. Invarious embodiments, the variable attenuation filters can be configuredto switch between a first filter state and a second filter statetransmit when exposed to an electromagnetic radiation. The variableattenuation filter can be configured to maintain the filter statewithout requiring a supply of energy. In various embodiments, thevariable attenuation filters can be configured to toggle between a firststate and a second state based on an input from the person engaged inthe snow activity.

FIG. 12A illustrates the transmittance profile of an optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for players inthe infield. The lens can have general structures and features similarto embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 12Billustrates an absorbance profile of the same optical filter. Theoptical filter is configured to provide variable attenuation as well aschroma enhancement. For example, in various embodiments, the opticalfilter can be configured to switch between a first state (dark state)and a second state (faded state) and provide chroma enhancement in thefirst state and the second state. The optical filter includes an edgefilter (e.g., a violet edge filter) that absorbs wavelengths less thanabout 410 nm and transmits wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. Invarious embodiments, the edge filter can be configured to have a highabsorbance value at wavelengths less than about 410 nm and a lowabsorbance value at wavelengths greater than about 410 nm. In variousembodiments, the edge filter is configured such that the absorbancedrops sharply from a high absorbance value to a low absorbance value atone or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 12A, the transmittanceprofile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark state is representedby the curve 1204 and the transmittance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the faded state is represented by the curve 1206. In FIG. 12B,the absorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the dark stateis represented by the curve 1208 and the absorbance profile of theembodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by the curve1210.

Referring to FIG. 12B, it is observed from curve 1208 that theabsorbance profile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. It is noted from curve1208 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-25 nm and a FW60M ofabout 30-34 nm. The second peak has a FW90M of about 10-15 nm. Theabsorbance profile in the faded state and the dark state indicates asharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths less than about 410 nmconsistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 1208 that the absorbance profile inthe dark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about410 nm and about 450 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range betweenabout 500 nm and about 560 nm; and a third valley in the wavelengthrange between about 590 nm and about 650 nm. Wavelengths in the firstvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 40%-50% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the secondvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak and about 80%-90% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the thirdvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak.

Referring to FIG. 12B, it is observed from curve 1210 that theabsorbance profile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the first and second absorbance peaks in the faded state islower than the maximum absorbance value for the first and secondabsorbance peaks in the dark state indicating that the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first and second absorbance peaks in thefaded state is higher than the transmittance of light for wavelengths inthe first and second absorbance peaks in the dark state. From curve 1210it is observed that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-20 nm and aFW60M of about 25-30 nm. The second peak has a FW90M of about 8-10 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 410 nm and about 450 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 560 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 600 nm and about 700nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 25%-35% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 25%-35% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak andabout 80%-90% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak.Wavelengths in the third valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 40%-50% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak. Theabsorbance values for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleysin the faded state is lower than the absorbance values for wavelengthsin the first, second and third valleys in the dark state indicating thatthe transmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second andthird valleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the darkstate.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 1204 in FIG. 12A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 10% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about460 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 9% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g., betweenabout 490 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configured totransmit between about 12% and about 20% of the light in the orange-redspectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nm and about 650 nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 1206in FIG. 12A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about1% and about 28% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 410 nm and about 460 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 20% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 20% and about 50%of the light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 580nm and about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state.

As discussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded stateand the dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittancethat is measured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, forexample, CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined insection 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescriptionsunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittancefor the embodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depictedin FIG. 12A, is about 21.1% in the faded state (represented by curve1206) and is about 8.4% in the dark state (represented by curve 1204).In other embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state canbe less than about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about30%, between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about20%. In various embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the fadedstate can be greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about20% and about 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30%and about 70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% andabout 60%, between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about55% or greater than 80%.

FIGS. 12C and 12D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens includingthe optical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 12B.FIG. 12C shows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v*color space calculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE1964 10° Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for astandard observer. Referring to FIG. 6C, the chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has achroma value of 32.3 and a hue value of 17.6 in the faded state and canappear reddish pink to an observer. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has achroma value of 25.79 and a hue value of 9.93 in the dark state and canappear purple to an observer. FIG. 12D shows the chromaticity diagram ofthe optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 12D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.438 and a CIE yvalue of 0.338 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.433 and a CIE y value of 0.325 in the dark state. Invarious embodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in thefaded and the dark state can be small such that the optical filter orthe lens including the optical filter appears to have similar color inthe faded and the dark state, or large such the optical filter or thelens including the optical filter appears to have dissimilar color inthe faded and the dark state

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the chromaticity can dependon the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter.Accordingly, the transmittance and the absorbance profiles of theoptical filter can be adjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. Inother embodiments, the lens including the optical filter may be providedwith various tints to change the overall chromaticity of the lens foraesthetic or other purposes.

FIG. 12E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 12A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 12B. The variable attenuation filter component can include acell including an electro-chromic material similar to the cell disclosedin International Publication No. WO 2011/127015 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Curve 1212 depicts the transmittanceprofile of the variable attenuation filter component in the dark stateand curve 1214 depicts the absorbance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the faded state. As noted from curve1212, the variable attenuation filter component has a transmittancebetween about 20% and about 30% for all wavelengths in the spectralrange between about 400 nm and 650 nm in the dark state. As noted fromcurve 1214, the variable attenuation filter component has atransmittance between about 40% and about 70% for all wavelengths in thespectral range between about 400 nm and 650 nm in the faded state. It isfurther observed from curves 1212 and 1214 that the difference betweenthe transmittance through the variable attenuation filter componentbetween about 450 nm and about 600 nm in dark state and the faded stateis approximately the same. Thus, the variable attenuation filtercomponent can be considered to function as a neutral density filter forwavelengths between about 450 nm and about 600 nm.

FIG. 12F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 12A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG.12B. The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) afirst pass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nmand about 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 590 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 12F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 420 nm. It is noted from FIG. 12F thatthe second pass-band has a transmittance between about 20% and about 33%between about 500 nm and 570 nm and the third pass-band has atransmittance between about 60% and about 80% for wavelengths in therange between 590 nm and 650 nm. Without any loss of generality, thetransmittance profile illustrated in FIG. 12A is a sum of thetransmittance profile of the variable attenuation filter component ofthe optical filter depicted in FIG. 12E and the transmittance profile ofthe chroma enhancing filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 12F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 11.3832 mg of a first dye having an absorbancepeak with a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473),57.67488 mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515) and 6.82992 mg of athird dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at574 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 574) incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 12G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 12B. Curve 1216 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 1218 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the faded state.

Curves 1216 and 1218 indicate that the optical filter having anabsorbance profile as shown in FIG. 12B provides an increase in chromain a first spectral window between 450 nm and 500 nm and a secondspectral window between 550 nm as compared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 12G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 8—Snow Activities

FIG. 13A illustrates the transmittance profile of another optical filterincluded in an embodiment of a lens that can be suitable for snowactivities (e.g., skiing, sledding, snowboarding, etc.). The lens canhave general structures and features similar to embodiments describedabove with reference to FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 13B illustrates an absorbanceprofile of the same optical filter. The optical filter is configured toprovide variable attenuation as well as chroma enhancement. For example,in various embodiments, the optical filter can be configured to switchbetween a first state (dark state) and a second state (faded state) andprovide chroma enhancement in the first state and the second state. Theoptical filter includes an edge filter (e.g., a violet edge filter) thatabsorbs wavelengths less than about 410 nm and transmits wavelengthsgreater than about 410 nm. In various embodiments, the edge filter canbe configured to have a high absorbance value at wavelengths less thanabout 410 nm and a low absorbance value at wavelengths greater thanabout 410 nm. In various embodiments, the edge filter is configured suchthat the absorbance drops sharply from a high absorbance value to a lowabsorbance value at one or more wavelengths below 410 nm. In FIG. 13A,the transmittance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the darkstate is represented by the curve 1304 and the transmittance profile ofthe embodiment of the filter in the faded state is represented by thecurve 1306. In FIG. 13B, the absorbance profile of the embodiment of thefilter in the dark state is represented by the curve 1308 and theabsorbance profile of the embodiment of the filter in the faded state isrepresented by the curve 1310.

Referring to FIG. 13B, it is observed from curve 1308 that theabsorbance profile in the dark state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. It is noted from curve1308 that the first peak has a FW80M of about 15-25 nm and a FW60M ofabout 25-35 nm. The second peak has a FW90M of about 10-15 nm. Theabsorbance profile in the faded state and the dark state indicates asharp increase in the absorbance at wavelengths less than about 410 nmconsistent with the presence of an edge filter.

It is further observed from curve 1308 that the absorbance profile inthe dark state has first valley in the wavelength range between about435 nm and about 455 nm; a second valley in the wavelength range betweenabout 500 nm and about 560 nm; and a third valley in the wavelengthrange between about 590 nm and about 650 nm. Wavelengths in the firstvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 50%-60% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak. Wavelengths in the secondvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 50%-50% of themaximum absorbance value of the first peak and about 80%-90% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak. Wavelengths in the thirdvalley have an average absorbance value that is about 80%-90% of themaximum absorbance value of the second peak.

Referring to FIG. 13B, it is observed from curve 1310 that theabsorbance profile in the faded state has a first absorbance peak with amaximum absorbance value at about 475 nm and a second absorbance peakwith a maximum absorbance value at about 575 nm. The maximum absorbancevalue for the second absorbance peak in the faded state is lower thanthe maximum absorbance value for the second absorbance peak in the darkstate indicating that the transmittance of light for wavelengths in thesecond absorbance peak in the faded state is higher than thetransmittance of light for wavelengths in the second absorbance peak inthe dark state. From curve 1310 it is observed that the first peak has aFW80M of about 15-25 nm and a FW60M of about 25-35 nm. The second peakhas a FW90M of about 8-12 nm.

The absorbance profile in the faded state has a first valley in thewavelength range between about 430 nm and about 450 nm; a second valleyin the wavelength range between about 500 nm and about 560 nm; and athird valley in the wavelength range between about 590 nm and about 700nm. Wavelengths in the first valley have an average absorbance valuethat is about 40%-50% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak.Wavelengths in the second valley have an average absorbance value thatis about 30%-40% of the maximum absorbance value of the first peak andabout 85%-95% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak.Wavelengths in the third valley have an average absorbance value that isabout 50%-60% of the maximum absorbance value of the second peak. Theabsorbance values for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleysin the faded state is lower than the absorbance values for wavelengthsin the first, second and third valleys in the dark state indicating thatthe transmittance of light for wavelengths in the first, second andthird valleys in the faded state is higher than the transmittance oflight for wavelengths in the first, second and third valleys in the darkstate.

As discussed above, the peaks in the absorbance profile correspond tonotches in the transmittance profile. The presence of notches in theeffective transmittance profile creates distinct pass-bands. Wavelengthsin each of the distinct pass-bands are transmitted with lowerattenuation than wavelengths in the notches. The transmittance profilein the dark state represented by curve 1304 in FIG. 13A, has a firstpass-band configured to transmit between about 1% and about 10% of lightin the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g., between about 410 nm and about470 nm); a second pass-band configured to transmit between about 1% andabout 15% of the light in the green-yellow spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and a third pass-band configuredto transmit between about 10% and about 18% of the light in theorange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 590 nm and about 650nm).

The transmittance profile in the faded state represented by curve 1306in FIG. 13A, has a first pass-band configured to transmit between about1% and about 12% of light in the violet-blue spectral ranges (e.g.,between about 410 nm and about 470 nm); a second pass-band configured totransmit between about 1% and about 28% of the light in the green-yellowspectral ranges (e.g., between about 480 nm and about 570 nm); and athird pass-band configured to transmit between about 50% and about 75%of the light in the orange-red spectral ranges (e.g., between about 590nm and about 650 nm). Accordingly, the optical filter is configured totransmit more light in the faded state than in the dark state.

As discussed above, the amount of light transmitted in the faded stateand the dark state can be characterized using luminous transmittancethat is measured with respect to a suitable illuminant, such as, forexample, CIE standard illuminant D65 according to a technique defined insection 5.6.1 of the ANSI Z80.3-2009 specification for nonprescriptionsunglass and fashion eyewear requirements. The luminous transmittancefor the embodiment of the lens having the transmittance profile depictedin FIG. 12A, is about 28.8% in the faded state (represented by curve1306) and is about 12.4% in the dark state (represented by curve 1304).In other embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the dark state canbe less than about 30%, such as, for example, between about 5% and about30%, between about 10% and about 25%, or between about 15% and about20%. In various embodiments, the luminous transmittance in the fadedstate can be greater than about 15%, such as, for example, between about20% and about 80%, between about 25% and about 75%, between about 30%and about 70%, between about 35% and about 65%, between about 40% andabout 60%, between about 45% and about 55%, between about 50% and about55% or greater than 80%.

FIGS. 13C and 13D show the chromaticity diagram of the lens includingthe optical filter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 13B.FIG. 13C shows the chromaticity diagram of the optical filter or theembodiment of the lens including the optical filter in the CIEL*u*v*color space calculated using CIE standard illuminant D65 and the CIE1964 10° Standard Observer based on a 10-degree field of view for astandard observer. Referring to FIG. 13C, the chromaticity of theoptical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter has a chroma value of 29.6 and a hue value of 43.5 in the fadedstate and can appear red to an observer. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has achroma value of 0.6 and a hue value of 20.07 in the dark state and canappear grey to an observer. FIG. 13D shows the chromaticity diagram ofthe optical filter or the embodiment of the lens including the opticalfilter in the CIE xyY color space. Referring to FIG. 13D, thechromaticity of the optical filter or the embodiment of the lensincluding the optical filter has a CIE x value of 0.484 and a CIE yvalue of 0.393 in the faded state. The chromaticity of the opticalfilter or the embodiment of the lens including the optical filter has aCIE x value of 0.382 and a CIE y value of 0.401 in the dark state. Invarious embodiments, a distance between the chromaticity values in thefaded and the dark state can be small such that the optical filter orthe lens including the optical filter appears to have similar color inthe faded and the dark state, or large such the optical filter or thelens including the optical filter appears to have dissimilar color inthe faded and the dark state

In various embodiments, the chromaticity can depend on the transmittanceand the absorbance profiles of the optical filter. Accordingly, thetransmittance and the absorbance profiles of the optical filter can beadjusted to achieve a desired chromaticity. In other embodiments, thelens including the optical filter may be provided with various tints tochange the overall chromaticity of the lens for aesthetic or otherpurposes.

FIG. 13E illustrates the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component of the optical filter whose transmittanceprofile is depicted in FIG. 13A and whose absorbance profile is depictedin FIG. 13B. The variable attenuation filter component can include aswitching material similar to the material disclosed in U.S. PublicationNo. 2012/0044560 which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Curve 1312 depicts the transmittance profile of the variableattenuation filter component in the dark state and curve 1314 depictsthe absorbance profile of the variable attenuation filter component inthe faded state. As noted from curve 1312, the variable attenuationfilter component has a maximum transmittance at about 500 nm and areduced transmittance at about 650 nm. The transmittance value is about60% for wavelengths around 500 nm. The transmittance profile has a FW80Mof about 80 nm and a FW60M of about 120 nm around 500 nm. Thetransmittance value is about 20% for wavelengths around 650 nm.Wavelengths in the range between about 580 nm and about 690 nm have atransmittance value of about 30%. Accordingly, in the dark state, thevariable attenuation filter component is configured to transmitwavelengths between about 450 nm and about 560 nm (blue-green spectralregion) with a higher transmittance as compared to wavelengths betweenabout 560 nm and about 690 nm (yellow-red spectral region).

As noted from curve 1314, the variable attenuation filter component hasa transmittance between about 70% and about 80% for all wavelengths inthe spectral range between about 490 nm and 700 nm in the faded stateand a transmittance between about 10% and about 70% for all wavelengthsin the spectral range between about 410 nm and 490 nm in the fadedstate. It is further observed from curves 1312 and 1314 that thedifference between the transmittance through the variable attenuationfilter component between about 410 nm and about 600 nm and about 660 nmand about 700 nm in dark state and the faded state varies.

FIG. 13F illustrates the transmittance profile of the chroma enhancingfilter component of the optical filter whose transmittance profile isdepicted in FIG. 13A and whose absorbance profile is depicted in FIG.13B. The transmittance profile has three distinct pass-bands: (i) afirst pass-band in the blue-violet spectral region between about 410 nmand about 470 nm; (ii) a second pass-band in the green-yellow spectralregion between about 480 nm and about 570 nm; and (iii) a thirdpass-band in the orange-red spectral region between about 590 nm andabout 650 nm. It is noted from FIG. 13F that the first pass-band has amaximum transmittance at about 420 nm. It is noted from FIG. 13F thatthe second pass-band has a transmittance between about 20% and about 33%between about 500 nm and 570 nm and the third pass-band has atransmittance between about 60% and about 80% for wavelengths in therange between 590 nm and 650 nm. Without any loss of generality, thetransmittance profile illustrated in FIG. 13A is a sum of thetransmittance profile of the variable attenuation filter component ofthe optical filter depicted in FIG. 13E and the transmittance profile ofthe chroma enhancing filter component of the optical filter depicted inFIG. 13F.

The chroma enhancing filter can include one or more dyes (e.g., organicdyes) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., toluene, chloroform, cyclohexanone,cyclopentanone or a polymeric resin). An embodiment of the chromaenhancing filter includes 11.3832 mg of a first dye having an absorbancepeak with a maximum absorbance value at 473 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 473),57.67488 mg of a second dye having an absorbance peak with a maximumabsorbance value at 515 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 515) and 6.82992 mg of athird dye having an absorbance peak with a maximum absorbance value at574 nm (e.g. EXCITON ABS 574) incorporated in 1 pound of a resin.

FIG. 13G shows the chroma profile of the lens including the opticalfilter having an absorbance profile as shown in FIG. 13B. Curve 1316 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the dark state and curve 1318 isthe combined chroma profile of the variable filter component and thechroma enhancing filter component in the faded state. Curves 1316 and1318 indicate that the optical filter having an absorbance profile asshown in FIG. 13B provides an increase in chroma in a first spectralwindow between 450 nm and 500 nm and a second spectral window between550 nm and 600 nm as compared to a flat filter.

It is noted from FIG. 13G that the chroma profile in the faded state andthe chroma profile in the dark state coincide indicating that togglingthe optical filter between the dark state and the faded state does notalter the chroma value of the transmitted light as perceived by the HVS.

Example Embodiment 9

FIG. 14A illustrates the absorptance spectrum of various lenses that canbe included in eyewear configured for various activities, such as, forexample, sporting activities, driving, day-to-day activities in variousambient lighting conditions (e.g., bright light condition, medium lightcondition or low light condition). FIG. 14B illustrates thecorresponding absorbance spectrum of the various lenses having theabsorptance profile depicted in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14C depicts therelative chroma profile of the various lenses having the absorptanceprofile depicted in FIG. 14A.

Referring to FIG. 14A, curve 1405 depicts a first absorptance profile,curve 1407 depicts a second absorptance, and curve 1409 depicts a thirdabsorptance profile. The first, second and third absorptance profileshave a plurality of absorptance peaks having a maximum absorptancevalue. The maximum absorptance of a first absorptance peak can be in therange between about 465 nm and about 485 nm. The maximum absorptance ofa second absorptance peak can be in the range between about 570 nm andabout 580 nm. The maximum absorptance of a third absorptance peak can bein the range between about 650 nm and about 665 nm.

The absorptance peaks have associated absorbance peaks as illustrated inFIG. 14B. The first absorbance profile 1411 is associated with the firstabsorptance profile 1405, the second absorbance profile 1413 isassociated with the second absorptance profile 1407, and the thirdabsorbance profile 1415 is associated with the third absorptance profile1409. The maximum absorbance of the absorbance peak associated with thefirst absorptance peak is in the range between about 470 nm and about480 nm. The maximum absorbance of the absorbance peak associated withthe second absorptance peak is in the range between about 570 nm andabout 580 nm. The maximum absorbance of the absorbance peak associatedwith the third absorptance peak is in the range between about 655 nm andabout 665 nm.

The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can have a spectralbandwidth equal to the full width at 90% of the maximum, full width at80% of the maximum, full width at 85% of the maximum, or full width at70% of the maximum. The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can havea center wavelength given by the midpoint of the spectral bandwidth of arespective absorptance or absorbance peak. It is observed from FIGS. 14Aand 14B that the center wavelength of the first absorptance peak and thefirst absorbance peak for the first, second and third absorptanceprofiles given by the midpoint of a spectral bandwidth equal to the fullwidth at 80% of the maximum is between about 470 nm and about 480 nm.

The various absorptance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the respective absorptance peak.The various absorbance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth of the absorbance peak by the spectral bandwidth of therespective absorbance peak. The attenuation factor of the firstabsorptance and absorbance peak for the first, second and thirdabsorptance profile is between 0.8 and 1.0 for the illustratedembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14C, curve 1421 is the relative chroma changeassociated with the first absorptance profile 1405, curve 1423 is therelative chroma change associated with the second absorptance profile1407, and curve 1425 is the relative chroma change associated with thethird absorptance profile 1409. It is observed from FIG. 14C, that therelative chroma change in a chroma enhancement window in the spectralrange between about 440 nm and about 480 nm is greater than or equal toabout 20% for the first, second and third absorptance profiles. It isfurther observed from FIG. 14C, that the relative chroma change in achroma enhancement window in the spectral range between about 440 nm andabout 510 nm is greater than or equal to about 20% for the first, secondand third absorptance profiles.

The luminous transmittance of a lens having the first, second or thirdabsorptance profile can be greater than or equal to about 7%. Theaverage visible light transmittance of a lens having the first, secondor third absorptance profiles can be greater than or equal to about 14%.The CIE chromaticity x-value of a lens having the first, second or thirdabsorptance profile can be in the range between about 0.35 and about0.5. The CIE chromaticity y-value of a lens having the first, second orthird absorptance profile can be in the range between about 0.3 andabout 0.35.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static CE filter that canprovide the first, second or third absorptance/absorbance profiles. Thelens can further include a variable optical filter that can providevariable light attenuation. In various embodiments, a lens can compriseone or more variable optical filters (e.g., variable CE filters that mayalter the luminous transmittance, contrast/colorfulness of a sceneand/or chromaticity of the lens) that can be configured to beselectively switchable between a neutral state and one of the first,second or third absorptance profiles. In the neutral state, the lens maybe configured to uniformly attenuate all wavelengths in the visiblespectral range. Alternately, in the neutral state, the lens may beconfigured to not attenuate any wavelength in the visible spectralrange. In the neutral state, the lens may appear to be clear or gray.

For example, a lens comprising a variable CE filter can be configured toswitch from a neutral state to a first state in which the lens isconfigured to have the first absorptance profile 1405 and the associatedfirst absorbance profile 1411. As another example, the lens can beconfigured to switch from a neutral state to a second state in which thelens is configured to have the second absorptance profile 1407 and theassociated second absorbance profile 1413. As yet another example, thelens can be configured to switch from a neutral state to a third statein which the lens is configured to have the third absorptance profile1409 and the associated second absorbance profile 1415. In someimplementations, the lens comprising the variable CE filter can beconfigured to switch between the first, second and third states. Thelens can be configured to switch between any of the neutral, first,second or third states based on an input provided by the user, a sensorinput or based on an input from an electronic hardware processor.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static filter thatprovides one of the three absorptance profiles 1405, 1407 and 1409. Insuch embodiments, the lens may comprise a variable optical filter thatcan be switched between two or more states. At least one of the luminoustransmittance, attenuation, or chromaticity may be different between thetwo or more states.

Example Embodiment 10

FIG. 15A illustrates the absorptance spectrum of various lenses that canbe included in eyewear configured for various activities, such as, forexample, sporting activities, driving, day-to-day activities in variousambient lighting conditions (e.g., bright light condition, medium lightcondition or low light condition). FIG. 15B illustrates thecorresponding absorbance spectrum of the various lenses having theabsorptance profile depicted in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15C depicts therelative chroma profile of the various lenses having the absorptanceprofile depicted in FIG. 15A.

Referring to FIG. 15A, curve 1505 depicts a first absorptance profileand curve 1507 depicts a second absorptance. The first and secondabsorptance profiles have a plurality of absorptance peaks having amaximum absorptance value. The maximum absorptance of a firstabsorptance peak can be in the range between about 465 nm and about 485nm. The maximum absorptance of a second absorptance peak can be in therange between about 570 nm and about 580 nm. The maximum absorptance ofa third absorptance peak can be in the range between about 650 nm andabout 665 nm.

The absorptance peaks have associated absorbance peaks as illustrated inFIG. 15B. The first absorbance profile 1511 is associated with the firstabsorptance profile 1505, and the second absorbance profile 1513 isassociated with the second absorptance profile 1507. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the first absorptancepeak is in the range between about 470 nm and about 480 nm. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the second absorptancepeak is in the range between about 570 nm and about 580 nm. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the third absorptancepeak is in the range between about 655 nm and about 665 nm.

The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can have a spectralbandwidth equal to the full width at 90% of the maximum, full width at80% of the maximum, full width at 85% of the maximum, or full width at70% of the maximum. The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can havea center wavelength given by the midpoint of the spectral bandwidth of arespective absorptance or absorbance peak. It is observed from FIGS. 15Aand 15B that the center wavelength of the first absorptance peak and thefirst absorbance peak for the first and second absorptance profilesgiven by the midpoint of a spectral bandwidth equal to the full width at80% of the maximum is between about 470 nm and about 490 nm.

The various absorptance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the respective absorptance peak.The various absorbance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth of the absorbance peak by the spectral bandwidth of therespective absorbance peak. The attenuation factor of the firstabsorptance and absorbance peak for the first and second absorptanceprofile is between 0.8 and 1.0 for the illustrated embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15C, curve 1521 is the relative chroma changeassociated with the first absorptance profile 1505, and curve 1523 isthe relative chroma change associated with the second absorptanceprofile 1507. It is observed from FIG. 15C, that the relative chromachange in a chroma enhancement window in the spectral range betweenabout 440 nm and about 480 nm is greater than or equal to about 20% forthe first and second absorptance profiles. It is further observed fromFIG. 15C, that the relative chroma change in a chroma enhancement windowin the spectral range between about 440 nm and about 510 nm is greaterthan or equal to about 20% for the first and second absorptanceprofiles.

The luminous transmittance of a lens having the first or secondabsorptance profile can be greater than or equal to about 13%. Theaverage visible light transmittance of a lens having the first or secondabsorptance profile can be greater than or equal to about 25%. The CIEchromaticity x-value of a lens having the first or second absorptanceprofile can be in the range between about 0.35 and about 0.5. The CIEchromaticity y-value of a lens having the first or second absorptanceprofile can be in the range between about 0.3 and about 0.36.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static CE filter that canprovide the first or second absorptance/absorbance profiles. The lenscan further include a variable optical filter that can provide variablelight attenuation. In various embodiments, a lens can comprise one ormore variable optical filters (e.g., variable CE filters that may alterthe luminous transmittance, contrast/colorfulness of a scene and/orchromaticity of the lens) that can be configured to be selectivelyswitchable between a neutral state and one of the first or the secondabsorptance profiles. In the neutral state, the lens may be configuredto uniformly attenuate all wavelengths in the visible spectral range.Alternately, in the neutral state, the lens may be configured to notattenuate any wavelength in the visible spectral range. In the neutralstate, the lens may appear to be clear or gray.

For example, a lens comprising a variable CE filter can be configured toswitch from a neutral state to a first state in which the lens isconfigured to have the first absorptance profile 1505 and the associatedfirst absorbance profile 1511. As another example, the lens can beconfigured to switch from the neutral state to a second state in whichthe lens is configured to have the second absorptance profile 1507 andthe associated second absorbance profile 1513. In some implementations,the lens comprising the variable CE filter can be configured to switchbetween the first or the second state. The lens can be configured toswitch between any of the neutral, first or second states based on aninput provided by the user, a sensor input or based on an input from anelectronic hardware processor.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static filter thatprovides one of the two absorptance profiles 1505, and 1507. In suchembodiments, the lens may comprise a variable optical filter that can beswitched between two or more states. At least one of the luminoustransmittance, attenuation, or chromaticity may be different between thetwo or more states.

Example Embodiment 11

FIG. 16A illustrates the absorptance spectrum 1605 of another embodimentof a lens that can be used for various activities, such as, for example,sporting activities, driving, day-to-day activities in various ambientlighting conditions (e.g., bright light condition, medium lightcondition or low light condition). FIG. 16B illustrates thecorresponding absorbance spectrum 1611 of the embodiment of the lenshaving the absorptance profile depicted in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16C depictsthe relative chroma profile 1621 of the embodiment of the lens havingthe absorptance profile depicted in FIG. 16A.

Referring to FIGS. 16A-16C, curve 1605 depicts the absorptance profile,curve 1607 depicts the associated absorbance profile and curve 1609depicts the associated relative chroma change. The absorptance profilehas at least one absorptance peak having a maximum absorptance value.The maximum absorptance of the at least one absorptance peak can be inthe range between about 550 nm and about 570 nm. The maximum absorbanceof the absorbance peak associated with the at least one absorptance peakcan be in the range between about 550 nm and about 570 nm

The at least one absorptance peak and the associated absorbance peak canhave a spectral bandwidth equal to the full width at 90% of the maximum,full width at 80% of the maximum, full width at 85% of the maximum, orfull width at 70% of the maximum. The at least one absorptance peak andthe associated absorbance peak can have a center wavelength given by themidpoint of the spectral bandwidth of a respective absorptance orabsorbance peak. It is observed from FIGS. 16A and 16B that the centerwavelength of the at least one absorptance peak and the associatedabsorbance peak given by the midpoint of a spectral bandwidth equal tothe full width at 80% of the maximum is between about 550 nm and about570 nm.

The at least one absorptance peak can have an attenuation factorobtained by dividing an integrated absorptance peak area within thespectral bandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the respectiveabsorptance peak. The at least one absorbance peak can have anattenuation factor obtained by dividing an integrated absorptance peakarea within the spectral bandwidth of the absorbance peak by thespectral bandwidth of the respective absorbance peak. The attenuationfactor of the at least one absorptance peak and the at least oneabsorbance peak is between 0.8 and 1.0 for the illustrated embodiment.

It is observed from FIG. 16C, that there is an associate change inrelative chroma change in a chroma enhancement window in the spectralrange between about 440 nm and about 480 nm and in a chroma enhancementwindow in the spectral range between about 440 nm and about 510 nm.

The luminous transmittance of a lens having the absorptance profile canbe greater than or equal to about 48%. The average visible lighttransmittance of a lens having the absorptance profile can be greaterthan or equal to about 48%. The CIE chromaticity x-value of a lenshaving the absorptance profile can be in the range between about 0.35and about 0.5. The CIE chromaticity y-value of a lens having theabsorptance profile can be in the range between about 0.3 and about0.36.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static CE filter that canprovide the first or second absorptance/absorbance profiles. The lenscan further include a variable optical filter that can provide variablelight attenuation. In various embodiments, a lens can comprise one ormore variable optical filters (e.g., variable CE filters that may alterthe luminous transmittance, contrast/colorfulness of a scene and/orchromaticity of the lens) that can be configured to be selectivelyswitchable between a neutral state and the absorptance profiles. In theneutral state, the lens may be configured to uniformly attenuate allwavelengths in the visible spectral range. Alternately, in the neutralstate, the lens may be configured to not attenuate any wavelength in thevisible spectral range. In the neutral state, the lens may appear to beclear or gray. For example a lens comprising a variable CE filter can beconfigured to switch from a neutral state to a first state in which thelens is configured to have the absorptance profile 1605 and theassociated first absorbance profile 1607.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static filter thatprovides the absorptance profiles 1605. In such embodiments, the lensmay comprise a variable optical filter that can be switched between twoor more states. At least one of the luminous transmittance, attenuation,or chromaticity may be different between the two or more states.

Example Embodiment 12

FIG. 17A illustrates the absorptance spectrum of various lenses that canbe included in eyewear that can be used for various activities, such as,for example, sporting activities, driving, day-to-day activities invarious ambient lighting conditions (e.g., bright light condition,medium light condition or low light condition). FIG. 17B illustrates thecorresponding absorbance spectrum of the various lenses having theabsorptance profile depicted in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17C depicts therelative chroma profile of the various lenses having the absorptanceprofile depicted in FIG. 17A.

Referring to FIG. 17A, curve 1705 depicts a first absorptance profileand curve 1707 depicts a second absorptance. The first and secondabsorptance profiles have a plurality of absorptance peaks having amaximum absorptance value. The maximum absorptance of a firstabsorptance peak can be in the range between about 465 nm and about 485nm. The maximum absorptance of a second absorptance peak can be in therange between about 570 nm and about 580 nm. The maximum absorptance ofa third absorptance peak can be in the range between about 650 nm andabout 675 nm.

The absorptance peaks have associated absorbance peaks as illustrated inFIG. 17B. The first absorbance profile 1711 is associated with the firstabsorptance profile 1705, and the second absorbance profile 1713 isassociated with the second absorptance profile 1707. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the first absorptancepeak is in the range between about 470 nm and about 480 nm. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the second absorptancepeak is in the range between about 570 nm and about 580 nm. The maximumabsorbance of the absorbance peak associated with the third absorptancepeak is in the range between about 655 nm and about 665 nm.

The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can have a spectralbandwidth equal to the full width at 90% of the maximum, full width at80% of the maximum, full width at 85% of the maximum, or full width at70% of the maximum. The various absorptance or absorbance peaks can havea center wavelength given by the midpoint of the spectral bandwidth of arespective absorptance or absorbance peak. It is observed from FIG. 17Bthat the center wavelength of the first absorbance peak for the firstand second absorbance profiles given by the midpoint of a spectralbandwidth equal to the full width at 80% of the maximum is between about470 nm and about 490 nm.

The various absorptance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the respective absorptance peak.The various absorbance peaks can have an attenuation factor obtained bydividing an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth of the absorbance peak by the spectral bandwidth of therespective absorbance peak. The attenuation factor of the firstabsorbance peak for the first and second absorbance profile is between0.8 and 1.0 for the illustrated embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17C, curve 1721 is the relative chroma changeassociated with the first absorptance profile 1705, and curve 1723 isthe relative chroma change associated with the second absorptanceprofile 1707. It is observed from FIG. 17C, that the relative chromachange in a chroma enhancement window in the spectral range betweenabout 440 nm and about 480 nm is greater than or equal to about 4% forthe first and second absorptance profiles. It is further observed fromFIG. 17C, that the relative chroma change in a chroma enhancement windowin the spectral range between about 440 nm and about 510 nm is greaterthan or equal to about 10% for the first and second absorptanceprofiles.

The luminous transmittance of a lens having the first or secondabsorptance profile can be greater than or equal to about 18%. Theaverage visible light transmittance of a lens having the first or secondabsorptance profile can be greater than or equal to about 22%. The CIEchromaticity x-value of a lens having the first or second absorptanceprofile can be in the range between about 0.30 and about 0.47. The CIEchromaticity y-value of a lens having the first or second absorptanceprofile can be in the range between about 0.29 and about 0.41.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static CE filter that canprovide the first or second absorptance/absorbance profiles. The lenscan further include a variable optical filter that can provide variablelight attenuation. In various embodiments, a lens can comprise one ormore variable optical filters (e.g., variable CE filters that may alterthe luminous transmittance, contrast/colorfulness of a scene and/orchromaticity of the lens) that can be configured to be selectivelyswitchable between a neutral state and one of the first or the secondabsorptance profiles. In the neutral state, the lens may be configuredto uniformly attenuate all wavelengths in the visible spectral range.Alternately, in the neutral state, the lens may be configured to notattenuate any wavelength in the visible spectral range. In the neutralstate, the lens may appear to be clear or gray.

For example, a lens comprising a variable CE filter can be configured toswitch from a neutral state to a first state in which the lens isconfigured to have the first absorptance profile 1705 and the associatedfirst absorbance profile 1711. As another example, the lens can beconfigured to switch from a neutral state to a second state in which thelens can be configured to have the second absorptance profile 1707 andthe associated second absorbance profile 1713. In some implementations,the lens comprising the variable CE filter can be configured to switchbetween the first and the second state. The lens can be configured toswitch between any of the neutral, first and second states based on aninput provided by the user, a sensor input or based on an input from anelectronic hardware processor.

In various embodiments, a lens can comprise a static filter thatprovides one of the two absorptance profiles 1705, and 1707. In suchembodiments, the lens may comprise a variable optical filter that can beswitched between two or more states. At least one of the luminoustransmittance, attenuation, or chromaticity may be different between thetwo or more states.

Construction/Control of the One or More Variable Optical Filters & UserFeedback

The one or more variable optical filters discussed herein can compriseone or more layers of electroactive material, such as, for exampleelectrochromic materials, photochromic materials, solid particles, nanoparticles, liquid crystals, materials comprising transition metal oxide,such as, for example, WO₃, NiO_(x), V₂O₅, materials comprising complexionic compounds, such as, for example, Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃, or electrochromicpolymers that are provided on an electrode. In various embodiments, theelectrode can be a transparent electrode, such as, for example, indiumtin oxide (ITO). In various implementations of eyewear, the lens (e.g.,lens 102 a, lens 102 b) can comprise the electrode. The electroactivematerial can be disposed on one or both sides of the electrode byprocesses such as, for example, vapor deposition or coating.

The eyewear can be electrically connected to an electrical system (e.g.,power source 105) that is configured to provide current or voltagesignals that can switch and/or maintain the electroactive material in adesired state. In various implementations, the electrical system cancomprise a battery or a power source and an electrical circuit that cangenerate different current or voltage waveforms to switch and/ormaintain the electroactive material in a desired state. In variousimplementations, the electrical system can be configured to provide avoltage in the range between about 0.7 V and about 2.5 V. In variousimplementations, the electrical system can be configured to provide acurrent in the range between about 100 mA and about 1.5 A.

In some implementations, the electrical circuit can be configured togenerate a pulse width modulated waveform that provides an electricalvoltage or current signal at a first level for a first duration of time,an electrical voltage or current signal at a second level for a secondduration of time, and so on depending on the desired switching pattern.In various implementations, the electrical circuit can be programmableto generate different electrical voltage or current waveforms that wouldprovide different optical characteristics (e.g., luminous transmittance,spectral absorptance/absorbance profiles, chromaticity, contrastsensitivity, etc.). An electrical voltage or current waveform thatprovides a desired optical characteristic can be generated in responseto an input from a user, a sensor, or in response to an electronichardware processor.

The eyewear can comprise a user interface element (e.g., user interfaceelement 107) comprising buttons, switches, sliders, inductive switches,capacitive switches, etc. that can be used by the user to control theone or more variable optical filters to achieve a desired opticaleffect. In some implementations, the user can use voice control tocontrol the one or more variable optical filters. For example, if a useris in the outfield of a baseball stadium, then the user may toggle abutton, press a switch or use a voice command to switch the one or morevariable optical filters to produce optical characteristics (e.g.,absorptance/absorbance/chromaticity/relative chroma profiles) that canenhance the colorfulness/contrast of the scene in the outfield of thebaseball stadium. In response to the input from the user, the electricalsystem may generate appropriate current/voltage waveforms that wouldswitch/maintain the one or more variable optical filters in a state thatproduces the desired optical characteristics. If the user moves to theinfield of the baseball stadium, then the user may toggle a button,press a switch or use a voice command to switch the one or more variableoptical filters to produce optical characteristics (e.g.,absorptance/absorbance/chromaticity/relative chroma profiles) that thatcan enhance the colorfulness/contrast of the scene in the infield of thebaseball stadium. In response, the electrical system may generateappropriate current/voltage waveforms that would switch/maintain the oneor more variable optical filters in a state that produces the desiredoptical characteristics.

The eyewear can be configured to provide feedback to the user that theone or more variable optical filters have been switched in response tothe input. In some implementations, the eyewear can comprise a hapticthat provides a tactile or a vibratory response when the one or morevariable optical filters have been switched in response to the input. Insome implementations, the eyewear can comprise an LED that provides anindication when the one or more variable optical filters have beenswitched. In some implementations, electrochromic indicators may beprovided on the lens to indicate activation of the electroactivematerials. For example, a portion of the lens (e.g., in a top or abottom corner) may be devoid of the one or more variable optical filtermaterials. When the one or more variable optical filter is switched fromone state to another, the portion of the lens that is devoid of the oneor more variable optical filter materials would remain in the initialstate and can appear distinct from the rest of the lens. In this manner,feedback may be provided to the user. In some implementations, theeyewear may comprise physical objects (e.g., a lever, a knob, aprotrusion, or a projection). The position/orientation in space of thephysical objects may be changed when the one or more variable opticalfilter is switched from one state to another. In some implementations,the physical objects may be visible in the user's field of view toprovide visual feedback.

In various implementations, the one or more variable optical filters canbe switched from one state to another in response to a signal from asensor. For example, the eyewear can comprise one or more sensors. Theone or more sensors can comprise light sensors or color sensors (e.g.,hyper-spectral camera) that are configured to sense a change in thebrightness and/or spectral composition of ambient light. As thebrightness and/or spectral composition of the ambient light changes, thesensors may provide a signal that alters at least one of a luminoustransmittance, a chromaticity, a chroma value of the one or morevariable optical filters.

For example, as the user moves from an outdoor environment or an indoorenvironment, the one or more sensors may detect a reduction in ambientbrightness and switch the one or more variable optical filters to afilter state that increase luminous transmittance. In someimplementations, the one or more sensors may be configured to detect achange in the ambient light conditions and provide a signal thatswitches the one or more variable optical filters to a state in whichvarious wavelengths are selectively attenuated to change thecolorfulness/contrast of the scene.

In some implementations, the eyewear can comprise eye tracking sensors(e.g., sensors that track the size of a user's pupils) and change theoptical characteristics (e.g.,absorptance/absorbance/chromaticity/relative chroma profiles) of the oneor more variable optical filters based on the changes in the pupil size.For example, consider a user sitting in shade and viewing a scene thatis brightly illuminated (e.g., the user is sitting under an umbrellawatching the ocean on a bright sunny day). In such situations, theuser's pupils may be constricted. The eye tracking sensor may detect thereduction in pupil size and send a signal to the one or more variableoptical filters to reduce average visible light transmittance orluminous transmittance.

CONCLUSION

The embodiments of optical filters discussed above are examples and arethus not limiting. Without any loss of generality, the values of thepercentage of incident light transmitted (or absorbed) can be differentfrom those depicted in FIGS. 5A-13G and 14A-17C. As such any offsetbetween the faded state and the dark state shown in FIGS. 5A-13G and14A-17C is within the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments of lensesincluding optical filters as described above can include one or morecomponents that serve various functions within the lens. In someembodiments, one or more components of the lenses can provide additionalfunctionality such as polarization control, photochromism,electrochromism, photoelectrochromism and/or partial reflection ofincoming visible light, chroma enhancement, color enhancement, coloralteration, or any combination of these. In some embodiments, one ormore components of the lenses can provide mechanical protection, reducestresses within the lens, and/or improve bonding or adhesion among thelens components. In some embodiments, the lenses can include componentsthat provide additional functionality such as, for example,anti-reflection functionality, anti-static functionality, anti-fogfunctionality, scratch resistance, mechanical durability, hydrophobicfunctionality, reflective functionality, darkening functionality,aesthetic functionality including tinting, or any combination of these.

It is contemplated that the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics of any embodiments discussed herein can be combined inany suitable manner in one or more separate embodiments not expresslyillustrated or described. For example, it is understood that an opticalfilter can include any suitable combination of light attenuationfeatures and that a combination of light-attenuating lens elements cancombine to control the chroma of an image viewed through a lens. In manycases, structures that are described or illustrated as unitary orcontiguous can be separated while still performing the function(s) ofthe unitary structure. In many instances, structures that are describedor illustrated as separate can be joined or combined while stillperforming the function(s) of the separated structures. It is furtherunderstood that the optical filters disclosed herein can be used in atleast some lens configurations and/or optical systems besides lenses.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments,various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment,figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the variousinventive aspects. The term “between” as used herein is inclusive of theendpoints of any claimed ranges. This method of disclosure, however, isnot to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requiremore features than are expressly recited in that claim. Moreover, anycomponents, features, or steps illustrated and/or described in aparticular embodiment herein can be applied to or used with any otherembodiment(s). Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventionsherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular embodimentsdescribed above, but should be determined by a fair reading of theclaims.

The following is claimed:
 1. Eyewear comprising: an optical filterconfigured to switch between a first filter state having a firstluminous transmittance and a user-selectable or sensor-selectable secondfilter state having a second luminous transmittance, wherein adifference between the first luminous transmittance and the secondluminous transmittance is greater than or equal to about 5%, the opticalfilter comprising: an absorber having an absorbance spectral profile,the absorbance spectral profile comprising at least one absorbance peakin the visible spectrum, the at least one absorbance peak having amaximum absorbance value between about 540 nm and about 580 nm and afull width at 80% of the maximum absorbance value of greater than orequal to about 5 nm when the optical filter is in the first filterstate.
 2. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the first luminoustransmittance has a value between about 7% and about 20%.
 3. The eyewearof claim 1, wherein the second luminous transmittance has a valuebetween about 20% and about 70%.
 4. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein theoptical filter is configured to switch between the first filter stateand the second filter state when at least a portion of the opticalfilter receives an electrical signal provided by a user or provided by auser-controlled power supply.
 5. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein theoptical filter comprises at least one of a photochromic material or anelectrochromic material.
 6. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the absorbercomprises an organic dye.
 7. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein theabsorber comprises an oxide.
 8. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein theoptical filter includes an edge filter having an optical density ofgreater than or equal to about 2 at visible light wavelengths comprisingwavelengths less than 410 nm and a bandwidth of less than or equal toabout 80 nm and greater than or equal to about 30 nm.
 9. The eyewear ofclaim 1, wherein the maximum absorbance value is greater than or equalto about 0.5 and less than or equal to about 5.0.
 10. The eyewear ofclaim 1, wherein the full width of the at least one absorbance peak at80% of the maximum absorbance value is less than or equal to about 50nm.
 11. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein a full width of the at least oneabsorbance peak at 60% of the maximum absorbance value is between about20 nm and about 30 nm.
 12. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the opticalfilter comprises a third filter state having a third luminoustransmittance.
 13. The eyewear of claim 1, further comprising a lensbody, wherein the optical filter is at least partially attached toand/or integrated into the lens body, wherein the lens body comprises apolycarbonate material.
 14. The eyewear of claim 13, further comprisinga frame including the lens body and a power supply connected to theframe, wherein the optical filter comprises an electrode of the opticalfilter electrically connected to the power supply.
 15. The eyewear ofclaim 14, further comprising a user interface disposed in the frame, theuser interface configured to provide an electrical signal from the powersupply to the optical filter.
 16. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein theoptical filter comprises a first filter component and a second filtercomponent, wherein the first filter component is a static attenuationfilter having a luminous transmittance that is less than or equal toabout 90%, and wherein the second filter component is a variableattenuation filter configured to switch among a plurality of statescomprising a faded state and a darkened state, the optical filter beingin the first filter state when the second filter component is in thedarkened state.
 17. The eyewear of claim 1, wherein the absorbancespectral profile further comprises another full width at 80% of themaximum absorbance value when the optical filter is in the second filterstate, and wherein the full width at 80% of the maximum absorbance valueis substantially equal to the other full width at 80% of the maximumabsorbance value.
 18. Eyewear comprising: a first filter componentincluding at least one of a photoelectrochromic material or anelectrochromic material; and a second filter component comprising afirst organic dye, wherein the first filter component is configured toswitch between a faded state and a darkened state based on a signalreceived from a user-controlled and/or a sensor-controlled interface,wherein a change in a luminous transmittance of the first filtercomponent as a result of switching between the faded state and thedarkened state is greater than or equal to about 5%, and wherein thesecond filter component comprises a first absorbance peak having amaximum optical density in a wavelength range between about 540 nm andabout 580 nm.
 19. The eyewear of claim 18, wherein the second filtercomponent comprises a second absorbance peak having a maximum opticaldensity in a wavelength range between about 440 nm and about 490 nm. 20.The eyewear of claim 19, wherein the second filter component comprises athird absorbance peak having a maximum optical density in a wavelengthrange between about 640 nm and about 690 nm.
 21. The eyewear of claim19, wherein the second absorbance peak has a bandwidth equal to a fullwidth at 60% of the maximum optical density of the second absorbancepeak, wherein the spectral bandwidth of the second absorbance peak isbetween about 10 nm and about 35 nm.
 22. The eyewear of claim 18,wherein the first absorbance peak has a spectral bandwidth equal to afull width at 60% of the maximum optical density of the first absorbancepeak, wherein the spectral bandwidth of the first absorbance peak isbetween about 10 nm and about 35 nm.
 23. The eyewear claim 18, whereinthe second filter component comprises at least a second organic dye. 24.The eyewear of claim 18, wherein the first filter component has aluminous transmittance less than or equal to about 20% in the darkenedstate.
 25. The eyewear of claim 18, wherein the first filter componenthas a luminous transmittance greater than or equal to about 50% in thefaded state.
 26. The eyewear of claim 18, further comprising asubstantially rigid lens body, wherein the second filter component ispart of the substantially rigid lens body.
 27. The eyewear of claim 18,wherein the first filter component is configured to switch between anadditional state between the faded state and the darkened state based ona signal received from a user-controlled and/or a sensor-controlledinterface.
 28. The eyewear of claim 19, wherein the change in theluminous transmittance of the first filter component as a result ofswitching between the faded state and the darkened state is greater thanor equal to about 10%.
 29. Eyewear comprising: an optical filterconfigured to switch between a first filter state having a firstluminous transmittance and a user-selectable or sensor-selectable secondfilter state having a second luminous transmittance, wherein adifference between the first luminous transmittance and the secondluminous transmittance is greater than or equal to about 5%, the opticalfilter comprising: an absorber having an absorbance spectral profile,the absorbance spectral profile comprising at least one absorbance peakin the visible spectrum, the at least one absorbance peak having amaximum absorbance value between about 445 nm and about 480 nm and afull width at 80% of the maximum absorbance value of greater than orequal to about 5 nm when the optical filter is in the first filterstate.
 30. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein the full width at 80% of themaximum absorbance value is greater than or equal to about 5 nm and lessthan or equal to 40 nm when the optical filter is in the first filterstate.
 31. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein the first luminoustransmittance is greater than or equal to about 70%, and the secondluminous transmittance is less than the first luminous transmittance.32. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein a change in the value of an averagelight transmittance of the optical filter as a result of switchingbetween the first and the second filter states is greater than or equalto about 5%.
 33. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein a change in a CIEchromaticity x-value of the optical filter as a result of switchingbetween the first and the second filter states is greater than or equalto about 0.05.
 34. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein a change in a CIEchromaticity y-value of the optical filter as a result of switchingbetween the first and the second filter states is greater than or equalto about 0.05.
 35. The eyewear of claim 29, wherein the at least oneabsorbance peak further comprises a full width at 90% of the maximumabsorbance value of greater than or equal to about 5 nm and less thanabout 30 nm when the optical filter is in the first filter state. 36.The eyewear of claim 29, wherein the at least one absorbance peakfurther comprises an attenuation factor obtained by dividing anintegrated absorptance peak area within the full width at 80% of themaximum absorbance value of the at least one absorbance peak by the fullwidth at 80% of the maximum absorbance value of the at least oneabsorbance peak, and wherein the attenuation factor is between about 0.8and about 1.0.